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UC-NRLF 


$B    25    1^3 


...„_  f  TO  USE 
ED  CROSS  DYNAMITE 


PU  PON 


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*  RSD  CROSS   * 
DYNAMITE 


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H^'iSSiN  »"'?*■•  31  5^  Urn  .,*'>'«» 

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E.  I.  DU  PONT  DE  NEMOURS  POWDER  COMPANY 


ESTABLISHED   1802 


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BIRMINGHAM.  ALA. 
BOSTON.  MASS. 
BUFFALO.  N.  Y. 
CHICAGO.  ILL. 
CITY  OF  MEXICO 
DENVER,  COLO. 
DULUTH.  MINN. 
HAZLETON.  PA. 
HOUGHTON.  MICH. 


HUNTINGTON.  W.  VA. 
JOPLIN,  MO. 
KANSAS  CITY.  MO. 
MEMPHIS.  TENN. 
NASHVILLE.  TENN. 
NEW  ORLEANS.  LA. 
NEW  YORK.  N.  Y. 
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PITTSBURG.  KAN. 


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SlPDNt 

FARMER'S  HANDBOOK 


INSTRUCTIONS 
IN  THE  USE  OF 
DYNAMITE 
FOR 
CLEARING  LAND 
PLANTING  AND 
CULTIVATING 
TREES,  DRAIN- 
AGE, DITCHING 
AND  SUBSOILING 


Copyright,    1912 

E.  I.  du  Pont  de  Nemours  Powder  Co. 

Established    1802 

Wilmington,    Delaware 


^:ii:.%: 


INDEX 

/        ;  Page 

Bigtree  Blasting v:  /;V;«*^.  i .  .-*'l;':*.'/v.:,'i'55-137 

Blasting   Caps— Du  Pont    Ill 

Blasting  Circuits 115,  146 

Blasting — Electric    125 

Blasting  Machines  115 

Blasting — Principles  of 118 

Blockholing  Boulders 140-141 

Bore  Holes— Location  of  in  Stump  Blasting 127 

Boulder  Blasting   140 

Boulder  Blasting — Charges  for 143 

California  Hardpan  Blasting 71,  87,  153 

Cap  Crimpers 113 

Caps— Du  Pont  Blasting  Ill 

Caps  and  Fuse — Preparing i 119 

Cellar  Excavating   152 

Charging  Bore  Holes 122 

Clearing  Land    7 

Crimpers    113 

Deep  Plowing — Increases  Crops 77 

Ditch  \\'iring 146 

Ditches — Cross  Section  of  Blasted 144 

Ditch  Blasting  Without  a  Blasting  Machine 147 

Ditching   Charges    147 

Ditching  Cranberry  Bogs 39 

Ditching  Diagrams   144-146-149 

Ditching  Instructions    143 

Ditching — Red  Cross  Dynamite  in 31-143 

Drainage^Charges  for  Deep 150 

Drainage  Instructions   149 

Drainage — Frog  Ponds   41,  149 

Drainage — Reclamation  by 27 

Drainage — U.  S.  Map 24 

Draining  Ponds   149 

Draining  Swamps   149 

Dynamite,  Handling   105 

Dynamite,  Storing 105 

Dynamite,   Transportation    105 

Electric   Blasting   125 

Electric  Fuzes    113 

Explosives 107 

Fertility  of  Soil— Depths  of 48 

Fertilizers — Effects  of  Subsoiling  on 89 

Firing   Charges    123 

Fungus  Diseased  Ground — Tree  Planting  in 57,  61,  74 

Fuse   . 112 

Fuse  Lengths — Table  of 140 

Fuzes — Electric    ■. 113 


2^2319 


Hardpan-i-^eakirtg  UJ)* ;  %/. 87,  153 

Ice  Btobig  tMc'v":-:-  • :  -.v.-,  •'•) 157-158 

Logs— Splitting  * '.*.' ..." 137' 

Log  Jams — Starting   159 

Mudcapping  Boulders   138-141 

Orcharding — A  Revolution  in 45 

Orchard — Diagram  of  charges  in   155-156 

Orchard  Rejuvenation   74,  155 

Ordering  Dynamite ' 160 

Plant   Growth — Principles   of .     45 

Planting  Trees 43,  69,  154-157 

Pond  Drainage 149 

Posthole  Digging 153 

Priming  Cartridges   120 

Propagated  Blast  147 

Red  Cross  Dynamite — Safety  of 108 

Road  Building   151 

Root  Penetration — Depth  of 81 

Second  Growth  Stumps — Blasting   137 

Snakeholing  Boulders   138-142 

Spreading  Root  Stumps — Blasting   129 

Stump   Blasting — Instructions   for 127 

Stump  Blasting — Table  of  Charges — Western  Fir  Stumps 133 

Western  Pine  Stumps 133 

Western  Cedar  Stumps 133 

Stumps— Blasting   9,  127 

Stump  Pullers — Red  Cross  Dynamite  Superior  to 11 

Stumps — Splitting    137 

Subsoil— Best  Time  to   104 

Subsoil — Breaking  Up 87,  153 

Subsoil  Charges — T5l3le  of 87 

Subsoiling  Costs 87 

Subsoiling — Duration  of 102 

Swamp  Drainage   149 

Tamping  Bore  Holes 122 

Tap  Rooted  Stumps — Blasting 128 

Terracing  Land  to  Stop  Soil  Washing 91 

Thawing  Dynamite 110 

Tools  for  Agricultural  Blasting   116 

Transportation  of  Dvnamite 105 

Tree  Planting ' 43,  154-157 

Tree  Planting— How  To  Do  It  . 69,  154 

Tree  Planting  With  Red  Cross  Dynamite 43-154 

Trees — Felling   137 

Turpentine  Industry — Red  Cross  Dynamite  in  the  21 

Well  Sinking   152 

Wire — Connecting   116 

Wire — Leading    116 

4 


HOW    TO    READ    AND    USE 


THIS    BOOK 


This  book  has  a  double  purpose,  namely,  to  present  the  advantages 
of  using  Red  Cross  Dynamite  on  the  farm,  and  to  give  detailed  instruc- 
tions as  to  the  best  methods  of  using  same. 

Every  farmer,  orchardist  or  other  person  interested  in  a  farm 
or  orchard  should  read  this  book  from  cover  to  cover  at  least  once, 
in  order  to  get  a  general  idea  of  the  utility  of  Red  Cross  Dynamite 
on  the  farm,  and  how  to  handle  it  safely,  economically  and  efficiently. 

Next  consider  how  you  could  use  Red  Cross  Dynamite  to  advan- 
tage on  your  farm  or  in  your  orchard.  Then  figure  out  how  much 
Red  Cross  Dynamite  you  need  and  order  it  at- least  three  weeks  in 
advance  of  the  time  you  expect  to  use  it.  Then  spend  your  spare 
time  during  those  three  weeks  in  carefully  studying  all  of  the  instruc- 
tions that  pertain  to  the  particular  uses  of  Red  Cross  Dynamite  that 
apply  to  your  proposed  work. 

It  is  especially  necessary  that  you  become  thoroughly  familiar 
with  the  method  of  priming  Red  Cross  Dynamite  cartridges  and  of 
charging  bore  holes. 

A  great  deal  of  information  can  also  be  obtained  by  reading  the 
letters  from  farmers  and  orchardists  who  have  had  experience  in  the 
use  of  Red  Cross  Dynamite,  as  their  descriptions  of  methods  em- 
ployed contain  many  good  practical  points. 

It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  to  the  average  farmer,  dynamite 
is  something  absolutely  new  which  he  has  never  even  seen  and 
knows  practically  nothing  about.  He  cannot  therefore  do  too  much 
reading  about  Red  Cross  Dynamite  so  that  when  he  does  handle  it 
he  will  not  injure  himself  through  ignorance  or  carelessness,  but 
will  use  it  intelligently,  safely  and  profitably. 


FIG.  I.— WASTE  LAND  NEAR  HIBBING,  MINN.     FARM  OF  G.  G.  HARTLEY 


FIG.  2.— SAME  LAND  WITH  STUMPS  BLASTED 


FIG.   3.— SAME  LAND  10  MONTHS  AFTER  BLASTING,   YIELDING   $800.00 
WORTH  OF  CELERY  PER  ACRE 


Clearing  Farm  Land  With  Red  Cross  Dynamite 

Ever  since  the  first  white  man  started  a  permanent  settlement 
in  this  country,  the  transformation  of  forests  into  farms  has  been 
carried  on  continually  and  at  an  ever-increasing  speed.  So  great  is 
the  magnitude  of  the  land  clearing  operations  today,  so  large  is  the 
annual  expenditure  in  this  work,  that  it  has  become  a  factor  of  prime 
importance  in  the  national  economy  and  the  necessity  for  a  careful 
study  of  all  its  phases  to  the  end  of  improving  the  various  methods  now 
in  practice,  is  everywhere  recognized. 

If,  after  the  passing  of  the  wood  chopper  and  the  sawmill,  the 
land  were  ready  for  the  plow,  there  would  be  no  problem  to  solve; 
but  a  great  area  covered  with  stumps,  thirty,  fifty,  a  hundred,  two 
hundred  to  the  acre — with  a  number  of  boulders  scattered  here  and 
there — is  very  far  from  a  crop-bearing  condition. 

When  the  farmer  of  the  old  school  already  had  more  acres  than 
he  could  cultivate — a  few^  acres  that  needed  clearing  of  stumps  and 
boulders — a  few  acres  that  might  have  been  drained — a  few  acres 
that  were  especially  adapted  to  growing  a  particular  crop  but  hardly 
seemed  worth  while  to  "bother  with" — these  acres  naturally  were 
neglected. 

Even  some  of  the  new  school  of  farmers,  pledged  to  the  new 
methods  of  cultivation,  are  leaving  those  old,  obstructing  features 
of  soil  surface  to  the  elements,  accepting  the  fact  that,  as  they  have 
never  been  removed,  it  isn't  worth  while  at  this  late  day  to  spend 
time  and  money  on  them. 

Now,  READER,  does  not  the  above  apply  to  your  case?  Haven't 
you  one  particular  field  containing  stumps  and  boulders  which  is  an 
eye-sore  which  you  think  it  is  hardly  worth  while  to  bother  with? 
Have  you  ever  stopped  to  consider  the  cost  of  the  damage  to  your 
implements  these  obstructions  have  caused  you?  Have  you  ever 
reasoned  that  you  have  been  losing  yearly  HALF  A  DOLLAR'S 
worth  of  produce  which  might  have  been  grown  in  the  ground  occu- 
pied by  each  stump  or  boulder,  and  cultivated  w^ith  less  effort  than 
is  required  to  dodge  them?  We  ask  you  to  reason  these  points  out 
in  order  that  you  may  recognize  the  DOLLARS  AND  CENTS 
which  you  could  today  have  deposited  in  your  bank,  if  you  had  used 
a  little  Du  Pont  Red  Cross  Dynamite  for  their  removal. 

You  undoubtedly  realize  that  in  growing  "two  blades  of  grass 
where  only  one  grew  before"  you  are  receiving  from  the  same 
amount  of  labor  and  from  the  same  investment  of  dollars,  an  in- 
creased yield  of  100% — a  premium  which  accrues  to  the  ledger  balance 
under  the  general  heading  of  "  Enterprise." 

You  must  also  appreciate  that  an  acre  of  land  which  lies  non- 
productive for  a  season  is  comparable  with  its  money  value  buried  under 
a  stone,  or  with  its  value  in  machinery  lying  idle  under  the  roof  of  a 
manufacturing  plant. 

Therefore,  to  make  every  acre  of  your  farm  profitable  becomes 
of  first  importance,  because  land  that  lies  waste  is  taxed  and  has  charge- 
able to  it  year  after  year  its  proportionate  fixed  expense. 

In  this  section  w^e  endeavor  to  bring  before  you  the  many  ad- 
vantages to  be  derived  by  clearing  your  farm  of  stumps  and  boulders 
by  the  use  of  Du  Pont  Red  Cross  Dvnamite. 

7 


FIG.  4.— ARCADIA  ORCHARD  CO.,  DEER  PARK,  WASHINGTON, 
CLEARING  THE  LAND 


FIG.  5.— SAME.     FIRST  PLOWING  OF  CLEARED  LAND 


FIG.  6.— SAME.    PLANTED  WITH  FRUIT  TREES  AND  PEAS 

8 


Why  Red  Cross  Dynamite  is  the  Best  Stump  Remover 

When  Red  Cross  Dynamite  is  properly  used,  stump  or  boulders 
are  not  only  blasted  out  of  the  ground  but  are  broken  into  pieces 
which  can  be  easily  handled. 

Red  Cross  Dynamite  a  Money  and  Labor  Saver 

Since  I  learned  how  to  use  dynamite,  I  have  discarded  the  stump  puller 
entirely,  and  will  not  use  it  again,  as  I  figure  dynamite  is  a  money  and  a  labor 
saver,  as  well  as  a  time  saver,  and  if  we  are  to  make  any  headway  in  this 
section  clearing  land,  we  must  use  dynamite  or  we  will  not  have  farms  until 
we  are  old  men. 

The  stumps  often  average  100  to  the  acre,  and  to  get  these  out  with  a 
stump  puller  would  require  an  enormous  amount  of  labor  and  in  addition  the 
wear  and  tear  on  harness,  and  strain  and  chances  of  injuring  horses  must  be 
considered.  Dynamite  removes  all  these  difficulties,  and  also  can  be  used  under 
conditions  where  it  would  be  impossible  to  employ  team  labor. 

Stumps  when  split  with  dynamite  burn  easily.  Stumps  pulled  with  a 
puller  have  to  be  replied  sometimes  several  times,  in  order  to  get  them  to 
burn.  Besides  the  extra  labor  involved  in  burning,  the  humus  is  entirely  burnt 
out  of  the  soil  adhering  to  the  roots  of  the  stumps,  and  this  loss  is  a  large 
one,  as  we  are  beginning  to  learn. 

The  use  of  dynamite  for  blasting  boulders  is  becoming  very  general,  and 
is  so  cheap  as  to  make  the  use  of  other  means  of  disposing  of  them  ridiculous. 

For  ditch  digging  in  wet  and  low  places,  dynamite  certainly  is  the  thing, 
as  it  cheapens  the  cost  of  doing  the  work,  permits  of  ditching  being  done 
where  it  is  impossible  to  get  in  with  machinery  and  horses,  and  also  allows  of 
the  work  being  done  in  a  short  time. 

Last  year  (1911)  I  used  1,300  pounds  of  Red  Cross  on  about  thirty-five 
acres  and  will  use  nearly  as  much  this  year,  and  cheerfully  recommend  it  for 
land-clearing  purposes. 

JORGEN  JUHL,  Askov,  Minnesota. 

When  a  stump  is  properly  blasted  but  little  of  the  soil  is  thrown 
out  with  it,  and  it  is  not  necessary  to  spend  time  and  money  clearing 
the  earth  from  roots.  Burning  cut  stumps  is  an  exceedingly  slow  and 
incomplete  process  and  besides  destroys  the  humus  in  the  soil  for  many 
yards  around  so  that  several  years  of  special  fertilization  of  that  spot  is 
necessary. 

Only  a  very  small  outlay  is  necessary  at  one  time  when  Red  Cross 
Dynamite  is  used,  and  two  men  can  work  at  as  little  relative  cost  as  a 
dozen  or  a  hundred. 

Red  Cross  Beats  Stump  Puller  in  Many  Ways 

The  700  stumps  on  the  ten  acres  that  I  have  cleared  have  been  blasted  with 
dynamite,  with  the  exception  of  about  two  acres,  which  was  done  with  a  team  and 
stump  puller.  I  find  the  dynamite  so  much  cheaper  and  better  that  I  cannot  afford 
to  use  a  stump  puller. 

Dynamite  will  break  the  stump  and  leave  it  so  that  it  can  be  handled,  while 
a  stump  puller  leaves  it  so  large  that  it  is  impossible  to  handle  without  break- 
ing.   I  consider  the  latter  method  entails  an  expense  of  about  50  per  cent.  more. 

I  also  find  that  the  stump  is  free  from  dirt  when  dynamite  is  used,  which 
is  not  the  case  with  a  stump  puller.  I  find  that  the  ground  works  easier  and 
is  more  productive  where  dynamite  is  used,  as  it  shakes  up  the  soil  and 
breaks  the  hard  soil  under  the  stump  which  a  puller  will  not  do. 

Also,  for  the  boulders  it  cannot  be  beat,  as  one  can  remove  a  boulder  in  a 
few  minutes,  which  a  stump  puller  will  not  handle,  and  which  has  to  be  drilled 
and  broken  in  pieces  before  it  can  be  handled  even  if  pulled  from  the  ground. 

I  think  a  man  and  a  box  of  dynamite  will  remove  more  stumps  in  a  dav 
than  two  men  and  a  team  with  a  stump  puller. 

E.  L.  STEVEN,  Remer,  Minn. 
9 


FIG.  7— A  TYPICAL  PIECE  OF  WASTE  LAND 


FIG.  8.— FINE  COTTON  ON  RECENTLY  CLEARED  LAND.     PLANTATION 
OF  H.  J.  McELROY,  CUBA,  ALA. 


10 


Red  Cross  Superseding  Stump  Puller  Everywhere 

It  is  a  matter  of  considerable  interest,  to  one  who  takes  the  trouble 
to  investigate  it,  to  see  how  Red  Cross  Dynamite  is  superseding  the 
stump  puller  in  land-clearing  operations.  Wherever  the  two  methods 
have  come  into  close  competition,  the  latter  has  been  completely  van- 
quished. Says  a  prominent  Farmers'  Institute  man,  in  an  article  in  the 
Minneapolis  Farmers'  Institute  Annual  for  1908:  "After  using  the 
stump  puller  for  years  I  have  laid  it  aside  and  shall  never  take  it  to  the 
field  again,  simply  because  I  cannot  afford  to  use  it."  We  quote  from  the 
report  of  an  Eastern  Experimental  Farm:  "There  is  a  contractor  who 
has  for  a  long  time  claimed  that  he  can  clear  land  much  cheaper  and  better 
with  a  stump  puller  than  with  dynamite.  We  determined  to  have  it 
proven  to  us  and  so  signed  a  contract  to  have  10  acres  cleared  in  30 
days.  It  is  now  60  days  and  the  stumps  are  partially  out  of  about  2 
acres.  In  fact  the  remaining  roots  are  so  numerous  that  it  is  almost 
impossible  to  plow.    Dynamiters  go  in  next  week." 

A  bulletin  from  an  Experimental  Farm  in  the  Lake  States  cut-over 
region,  says:  "Dynamite  is  now  used  almost  exclusively  by  men  who 
have  made  a  study  of  clearing  land.  It  is  surely  the  quickest,  easiest, 
and  most  practical  way  to  remove  stumps  and  boulders  yet  known." 

Without  commenting  on  such  unquestioned  and  authoritative  state- 
ments, let  us  consider  a  few  of  the  advantages  obtained  by  using  Red 
Cross  Dynamite. 

1.  FRAGMENTATION  AND  DISPOSAL.  Dynamite  not  only 
removes  the  stump  but  also  breaks  it  into  pieces  which  are  easily 
handled.  When  stumps  are  pulled,  they  cannot  be  disposed  of  other- 
wise than  by  burning  in  the  field.  Often  this  is  rendered  difficult  by 
the  dirt  which  pulls  up  with  and  remains  attached  to  the  stump. 
Dynamite  so  shatters  the  stumps  that  all  dirt  is  removed  and  a  great 
quantity  of  excellent  fuel  is  gotten  from  the  fragments. 


$30.00  Worth  of  Red  Cross  Dynamite  Increases  Value  of 
Farm  From  $25.00  per  Acre  to  $75.00 

I  have  recently  finished  clearing  out  oak,  chestnut,  poplar  and  walnut 
stumps  ranging  from  eight  inches  to  eight  feet  in  diameter,  on  all  of  which  I 
used  40  per  cent.  Red  Cross  Extra  Dynamite. 

This  work  cost  me,  including  the  labor,  on  an  average  of  30  cents  per 
stump  or  $30  per  acre;  while  by  any  other  method  the  work  would  have 
cost  at  least  50  cents  per  stump  or  $50  per  acre.  Furthermore,  this  land  was 
worth  but  $25  per  acre  before  stumping  it,  while  its  present  value  is  from 
$60  to  $75. 

These  stumps  were  mostly  large;  some  were  eight  feet  across,  but  I  took 
them  out  with  ten  and  twelve  sticks  of  dynamite.  I  don't  think  much  of  the 
stump  puller;  the  ones  on  which  the  stump  puller  was  used  had  to  be  dynamited 
before  1  could  remove  them,  using  as  high  as  five  sticks  on  some  to  get  them 
torn  up.  We  have  tried  most  all  ways  of  getting  them  out  and  tind  Red  Cross 
Dynamite  the  best. 

C.  E.  SMITH,  Afton,  Tenn. 
11 


.    FIG.  9-— BLASTED  STUMPS.     MICHIGAN  LAND  AND  LUMBER  CO. 
CAREYWOOD,  IDAHO 


FIG.  10.— SAME  LANDj BEARING  FINE  CROP  OF  OATS 


FIG.  II.— CORN  ON  CLEARED  LAND,  75  BUSHELS  TO  ACRE,  ONE  YEAR 
AFTER  CLEARING.     FARM  OF  J.  C.  LOOKER,  RIXFORD,  PA. 


12 


2.  FOR  SWAMP  WORK.  In  swampy  or  wet  grounds  any 
other  method  of  stump  removal  is  out  of  the  question.  Red  Cross 
Dynamite  will  do  the  work  anywhere  man  can  place  it. 

Land  Cleaned,  Drained  and  Subsoiled  at  One  Operation 

and  at  One  Cost 

I  have  had  quite  some  experience  with  dynamite  for  blasting  stumps  and 
have  had  great  success.  Altogether,  I  have  cleared  about  twenty  acres  of 
600  gum  and  cypress  stumps  from  one  to  five  feet  in  size,  using  Du  Pont 
Red  Cross  40  per  cent.  Dynamite. 

Dynamite  is  the  cheapest  way  to  clear  land  by  half  and  more,  and  if  it  is 
done  right  and  in  tight  land,  it  loosens  it  up  so  water  sinks  and  the  air  gets  in 
and  makes  it  produce  much  better. 

W.  L.  WOOD. 

Morrilton,  Ark. 


3.  SPEED  OF  OPERATION.  One  man  with  a  reasonable 
amount  of  skill  should  be  able  to  blast  out  THREE  stumps  during 
the  time  employed  in  taking  one  out  by  any  other  means,  as  there  is 
no  waste  of  time  and  labor  cost  in  cutting  the  roots,  breaking  of  ma- 
chinery, etc. 

Why  Red  Cross  Dynamite  is  Faster  Than  Stump  Puller 

I  have  used  both  the  stump  puller  and  Red  Cross  Dynamite,  but  have 
abandoned  the  stump  puller  because  it  costs  too  much  in  labor  and  breakage, 
and,  worst  of  all,  it  is  too  slow.  Try  as  you  may,  you  will  be  compelled  to  dig 
out  and  cut  the  biggest  roots,  as  there  are  no  stump-pullers  made  strong  enough 
to  pull  stumps  of  any  size  without  digging  and  cutting  anchor  roots. 

Nature  made  the  stump  and  anchor  roots  on  which  the  tree  stood  sufficiently 
strong  to  resist  any  ordinary  storms,  and  it  is  but  rarely  that  you  see  a  tree 
uprooted  by  anything  less  than  a  tornado.  Now  if  we  are  going  to  uproot 
or  remove  this  stump  by  a  pull,  we  will  have  to  get  one  stronger  than  any 
it  has  ever  before  been  subject  to,  before  the  tree  was  cut.  In  other  words, 
we  will  have  to  make  a  chain  stronger  than  the  tempest,  a  cable  rope  and 
machinery  stronger  than  the  winds,  not  to  mention  the  rules  of  leverage,  as 
the  wind  gains  power  on  the  stump » by  the  height  and  amount  of  limbs 
on  the  tree.  The  stump  puller  does  not  have  any  advantage  in  that  respect, 
as  it  should  remove  the  stump  by  a  direct  pull,  and  an  ordinary  stump  will 
resist  an  enormous  strain. 

Dynamite  works  to  the  contrary;  its  work  is  underneath  the  stump,  with  a 
sudden  jerk  and  an  explosion  bursting  the  roots  before  they  have  a  chance  to 
resist  any  power. 

As  to  comparison  of  costs  in  the  two  methods :  With  a  puller,  it  requires 
about  three  men,  one  team,  and  costly  repairs.  A  machine,  no  matter  how 
strongly  made,  when  subjected  to  violent  strains  will  weaken  and  some  parts 
of  it  will  break.  Now,  a  good  day's  work  with  puller  and  gang  (lo  hours), 
three  men  at  $2 — $6;  one  team  at  $1,  totaling  $7  per  day  besides  repairs,  will 
remove  not  over  fifteen  stumps,  more  often  not  over  ten. 

With  dynamite,  the  same  amount  of  men  and  other  expense  will  remove 
in  the  same  length  of  time  at  least  forty  stumps,  and,  besides  removing  the 
stumps  and  breaking  them  up  into  pieces  more  easily  handled,  will  also,  while 
it  blasts  a  stump,  break  up  hardpan  if  any  exists. 

CLAUD  HANSEN, 

Jamestown,  Kan. 

13 


FIG.    12.— BORING  HOLE  UNDER  STUMP  WITH   DIRT  AUGER.     THIS  IS 
NOW  USUALLY  DONE  WITH  A  PUNCH  BAR 


FIG.  13.— WOMAN  OPERATING  BLASTING  MACHINE 


14 


4.  COST.  Taking  into  consideration  initial  expense,  labor,  teams, 
replacing  broken  machinery,  and  time  wasted,  Du  Pont  Red  Cross 
Dynamite  is  at  least  twice  as  economical  as  any  other  method  yet 
devised. 

Stump  pullers  are  costly.  A  good  quality  one-horse  machine  can- 
not be  secured  for  less  than  $100  to  $125.  One  horse,  a  man,  and  a 
boy  are  needed  to  operate  it.  The  cables  of  this  type,  being  rather 
light,  cannot  be  used  for  heavy  work,  which  oftentimes  necessitates  the 
services  of  a  heavier  machine.  Such  a  one  would  cost  from  $175  to 
$250  and  would  require  a  team  and  at  least  three  men  to  work  it. 
The  initial  cost  then  is  prohibitive  to  many  farmers,  for  a  machine 
of  this  sort  is  not  one  which  will  be  used  year  after  year,  like  a 
harvester.  After  the  stumps  are  removed,  it  is  no  longer  of  use,  and 
you  have  doubtless  seen,  on  more  than  one  occasion,  an  old  puller, 
slowly  being  converted  into  iron  rust,  in  some  far  off  field  corner. 
Wages,  cost  of  repairs,  delays  caused  by  the  breakages,  which  inev- 
itably occur,  with  resulting  loss  of  time  on  the  part  of  a  crew  of  men, 
all  these  join  to  bring  the  cost  of  operation  up  to  a  high  figure. 

Large  stumps  have  to  be  split  with  explosives  and  loosened  for  the 
puller.  This  necessitates  the  handling  of  each  piece  separately,  tak- 
ing considerable  time.  A  little  Red  Cross  Dynamite  put  under  that 
stump  would  have  entirely  removed  it  and  quicker  too.  The  initial 
cost  of  dynamite  is  trifling  and  it  may  be  purchased  as  needed,  so  that 
there  is  no  depreciation  in  value.  One  man  can  blast  stumps  as  well 
as  two,  so  that  every  farmer  can  do  his  own  work  if  he  wants  to 
without  hiring  extra  men. 

Stump  pulling  machines  are  not  furnished  •  with  sweep  or  bed- 
pieces,  which  the  farmer  must  make  for  himself.  There  is  need  for 
strong  cables,  spreader  chains,  whiffletrees,  hooks,  and  like  details  foi* 
the  strain  upon  these  parts  is  enormous.  He  must  have  at  hand 
material  to  replace  any  of  these  when  broken,  and  a  set  of  axes  and 
mattocks  to  assist  the  machines.  Where  the  ground  contains  stone  or 
gravel,  the  latter  become  rapidly  dulled,  and  require  frequent  sharpen- 
ings.  In  some  parts  of  the  South  it  is  the  custom  to  use  both  a  yoke 
of  oxen  and  a  team  of  mules  with  the  machine,  the  first  to  do  the 
actual  pulling,  and  the  last  to  move  the  machine  from  place  to  place. 
The  blaster  needs  very  few  tools  and  they  are  easily  carried. 

Because  of  the  different  amount  of  work  done  by  dynamite  and  by 
stump  puller,  in  a  given  period  of  time,  it  is  impossible  to  compare 
the  costs  of  each  per  day,  at  least  directly.  It  is  more  feasible  to  com 
pare  the  cost  per  acre  or  per  averaged-sized  stump,  because  blasters 
seldom  keep  accurate  accounts  of  the  different  items,  and  owners  of 
pullers  are  likewise  neglectful ;  it  is  not  easy  to  get  hold  of  any  accurate 
figures.  We  are  able  to  furnish  statistics  as  to  the  relative  costs  of  the 
two  methods  in  the  Southern  Pine  regions.  We  are  indebted  to  the 
Mississippi  Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  for  the  basis  of  the  com- 
putation. 

15 


Cost  With  Mechanical  Puller 

Puller  and  two  yoke  of  oxen,  per  day $5.00 

Three  men  at  $1.50  per  day 4.50 

Total $9.50 

Number  of  stumps  averaged,  per  day 40 

Cost  per  stump  1-40  of  $9.50= $  .24 

Cost  By  Blasting 

(Labor  figured  at  $1.50  per  day) 

Cost  of  boring  stump $  .025 

Cost  of  charge  of  dynamite  (average) 07 

Cost  of  detonator 01 

Cost  of  fuse 01 

$  .115  or  lie. 

This  indicates  a  saving  of  at  least  12c.  per  stump  by  the  use  of 
dynamite.  Figuring  100  stumps  to  the  acre,  which  is  certainly  not 
excessive,  the  saving  will  be  $12.00  per  acre. 

The  extremely  low  cost  of  blasting  a  stump  is  further  illustrated 
by  these  figures  which  we  quote  from  the  Engineering  Contracting 
Magazine  of  May  13,  1908.  They  refer  to  the  blasting  of  3,500  stumps 
18  inches  to  lYi  feet  in  diameter,  averages,  of  course,  being  given. 
This  work  was  done  on  Long  Island. 

Cost  per  Stump 

Labor  (at  $2.00  per  day) $  .059 

Dynamite 086 

Caps 008 

Fuse 009 

Total  cost  per  stump $  .162 

By  preparing  the  charges  the  evening  before,  one  man  blasted 
100  stumps  in  one  day,  thus  reducing  the  labor  item  to  a  little  over 
2c.  per  stump.  It  will  be  observed  that  these  were  very  large  stumps. 
Of  course,  the  skill  of  the  blaster  counts  for  much.  The  more  care 
and  judgment  is  used,  the  more  economical  the  blasting. 

Dynamite  Cheaper  Than  Stump  Puller 

I  blasted  from  my  property  1,000  white  pine  stumps  averaging  about  two 
and  a  half  feet,  all  of  which  were  removed  very  successfully  with  Red  Cross 
Dynamite. 

This  land  was  always  unproductive  prior  to  1910  when  I  started  to  farm, 
but  by  removing  these  stumps  I  have  reclaimed  about  eight  acres,  which  were 
planted  to  corn  and  potatoes  in  1910  and  1911. 

I  have  approximately  7,000  more  stumps  on  this  property,  all  of  which  will 
be  removed  as  quickly  as  possible,  and  it  will  be  dynamite  for  me  all  the  time, 
as  I  find  its  use  easily  one-half  cheaper  than  it  was  possible  to  do  this  work  with 
a  team  and  stump  puller. 

We  had  a  stump  puller  but  sold  it  as  we  found  that  dynamite  did  the 
work  easier,  cheaper,  and  quicker  and  the  results  were  better. 

IRWIN  J.  DREWS, 

Hillman,  Minn. 
16 


Stump  Puller  Discarded  for  Red  Cross  Dynamite 

During  December,  1911.  I  used  40  per  cent.  Red  Cross  Dynamite  for  clear- 
ing white  oak  stumps  ranging  from  two  to  three  feet  in  diameter. 

This  work,  labor  and  all,  cost  about  15  cents  per  stump  or  an  average  of 
$36.60  per  acre  as  compared  with  a  cost  of  at  least  35  cents  per  stump  or 
$84  per  acre  by  using  a  stump  puller.  Another  thing,  the  land  was  practically 
worthless,  but  after  clearing  it  is  valued  at  $90  per  acre. 

There  is  no  other  method  which  can  be  compared  with  dynamite.  I  have 
a  horse  stump  puller  and  yet  I  use  dynamite  in  preference  to  the  puller. 

GEO.  L.  FISCUS,  Egg  Harbor,  N.  J. 

Dynamite  Cheaper  Than  a  Donkey  Engine 

There  was  a  piece  of  land  on  my  property  which  I  wished  to  clear. 
During  the  first  week  in  March  I  moved  about  forty  fir  and  cedar  stumps  with 
Red  Cross  (low  freezing)   Dynamite,  40  per  cent. 

This  work  cost  me  about  $1  per  stump,  a  total  of  $40.  The  stumps  ranged 
from  one-and-a-half  to  three  feet  in  diameter,  and  would  have  cost  $2.50  per 
stump  or  a  total  of  $100,  taken  out  by  any  other  method. 

1  have  quite  a  number  of  stumps  to  move  this  fall,  averaging  about  three 
feet  in  diameter,  and  will  certainly  use  Red  Cross  Dynamite. 

There  was  a  donkey  engine  working  on  my  neighbor's  place,  but  I  beat  it 
with  my  dynamite. 

BURT  P.  WEISE,  Carrolton,  Wash.     . 

Finds  Stumps  an  Expensive  Luxury 

I  removed  ten  acres  of  stumps  last  spring  from  a  field  that  I  put  in  corn, 
and  six  acres  in  the  fall,  which  were  put  in  wheat.  I  have  made  up  my  mind 
never  to  farm  around  stumps  in  the  future,  but  to  take  them  out  with  dyna- 
mite. If  your  readers  think  my  judgment  is  not  good  I  only  ask  them  to  give 
it  a  fair  trial.  I  thought  like  a  great  many  others  that  it  was  too  expen- 
sive, but  if  you  count  loss  of  land  where  the  stumps  stand,  loss  of  time  in 
working  around  them,  chances  of  spoiling  young  horses,  causing  sore  shoul- 
ders, breakage  of  machinery,  worry  and  inconvenience  of  the  man  who  does 
the  work,  you  will  find  it  economical  rather  than  expensive. 

HOMER  C.  SMALL,  Martinsburg,  W.  Va. 

Red  Cross  Removes  10,000  Stumps  ;  Trebles  Land  Value 

During  the  last  four  years  I  have  blasted  about  10,000  pine,  poplar,  elm, 
oak,  and  spruce  stumps,  ranging  from  10  inches  to  4  feet  in  size,  on  all  of 
which  40  per  cent.  Red   Cross  Dynamite  was  used. 

I  cleared  about  100  acres  at  a  cost  of  about  9^  cents  per  stump,  or  $10 
per  acre  and  feel  very  certain  that  by  any  other  method  this  work  would 
have  cost  at  least  25  cents  per  stump  or  $25  per  acre. 

Before  removing  these  slumps  this  land  was  worth  about  $16  per  acre, 
but  today  each  acre  is  worth  $60.  It  has  been  planted  to  corn  and  potatoes, 
and  I  invariably  get  better  crops  off  the  land  cleared  with  dynamite  than  off 
other  land  not  so  cleared.  I  also  secured  a  better  stand  on  spots  from  which 
the  stumps  have  been  blasted  than  from  other  portions.  In  fact,  I  feel 
that  the  use  of  Red  Cross  Dynamite  has  enabled  me  to  blast  and  burn  the 
stumps  cheaper  than  I  could  remove  the  same  stumps  after  they  were  pulled. 
Red  Cross  Dynamite  will  be  used  exclusively  on  the  200  acres  that  I  am 
going  to  clear  next  year. 

I  have  a  neighbor  who  had  a  "Smith"  grubber.  Last  summer  he  worked  in 
a  twelve-acre  field  six  weeks  with  two  men  and  one  team.  They  cleared  about 
nine  acres  and  the  stumps  are  still  on  the  edge  of  the  field.  About  the  same 
time,  in  an  adjoining  field.  1  blasted  and  burned  every  stump  on  fifteen  acres 
in  seven  weeks,  and  did  it  alone. 

C.  E.  SAUNDERS,  Bergville,  Minn. 

17 


Red  Cross  Cleared  Land  Increased  in  Value  400% 

During  1909  I  cleared  twelve  acres  of  new  ground  of  gum,  hickory,  white 
and  red  oak  stumps,  ranging  from  twelve  to  thirty-six  inches  in  size. 

On  this  work  I  used  40  per  cent.  Red  Cross  Extra  Dynamite  and  while 
the  very  cheapest  figure  at  which  I  could  have  cleared  this  land  by  any  other 
method  would  have  been  from  50  cents  to  75  cents  per  stump  or  $25  per 
acre,  Red  Cross  Dynamite  did  the  work  at  about  20  cents  per  stump  or 
$10  per  acre. 

In  addition  to  the  above,  the  land  increased  in  value  from  $25  to  $100 
per  acre.  It  was  planted  to  alfalfa  during  1909  and  produced  a  much  better 
crop  than  the  adjoining  land  on  which  no  dynamite  had  been  used.  I  noticed 
also  that  it  grew  very  luxuriantly  on  spots  from  which  stumps  had  been 
removed. 

As  fast  as  I  would  blow  the  stumps  out,  I  would  have  them  loaded  on 
wagons  and  sold  for  $1.50  per  load.  They  were  blown  in  such  pieces  as 
to  make  them  very  fine  for  fireplace  wood,  not  needing  any  more  splitting 
and  the  people  in  the  neighborhood  were  very  eager  for  them. 

I  regard  the  dynamite  method  a  very  fine  way  to  clear  land  of  stumps  and 
take  pleasure  in  stating  that  I  was  well  pleased  with  results  obtained.  After 
deducting  the  amount  received  for  the  wood,  it  will  bring  the  expense  down 
to  a  very  small  item  per  stump  and  I  shall,  certainly  use  Red  Cross  Dyna- 
mite on  the  other  twelve-acre  plot  which  I  will  clear  sometime  this  year. 

H.  A.  BEATTIE,  Starkville,  Miss. 


Used  a  Ton  of  Dynamite  a  Week 

It  is  only  fair  for  me  to  report  the  success  that  I  am  having  with  dyna- 
mite as  an  agent  in  blowing  stumps  on  my  lt)0-acre  tract  of  woodland  at 
Beartown,  Lancaster  County. 

I  am  using  a  ton  of  dynamite  a  week  in  this  work  and  with  the  capable 
force  that  I  now  have  the  results  are  marvelous.  Great  chestnut  and  oak 
stumps  succumb  to  the  dynamite  as  easily  as  lifting  a  match.  The  benefit 
derived  from  this  method  is  incalculable  as  it  practically  loosens  the  earth  or 
subsoil  from  stump  and  is  making  plowing  very  easy.  I  have  a  stump  puller 
on  this  tract,  but  it  cannot  be  compared  with  dynamite  as  it  pulls  out  stumps 
leaving  roots,  and  I  cannot  possibly  clear  over  a  quarter  of  an  acre  a  week 
with  it. 

Anyone  is  welcome  to  come  and  see  the  results.  I  have  a  large  picture 
taken  showing  the  tract  clear,  which  the  photographer  will  no  doubt  let  you 
have  if  you  care  to  use  it. 

I  thank  you  for  the  help  that  your  company  has  displayed  in  furthering  my 
work. 

FRANK  S.  BARR,  Lancaster,  Pa. 


Advantages  of  Mudcapping  Boulders 

Extract  from  report  of  demonstration  at  Grand  Rapids,  Minn.,  July  18, 
1911: 

"This  work  was  new  to  Mr.'  A.  J.  McGuire,  Superintendent  of  the  N.  E. 
Experimental  Farm,  and  he  was  amazed  to  see  large  boulders  which  two  and 
three  teams  could  not  handle  broken  up  in  pieces  so  small  that  they  could  be 
lifted  into  a  wagon  by  one  man.  He  had  been  in  the  habit  of  drilling  holes 
twelve  inches  deep  in  the  large  rock  and  splitting  them  with  40  per  cent, 
dynamite,  which  split  the  rocks  but  did  not  break  them  up  small. 

"The  rocks  were  all  granite  and  some  of  them  presented  round  smooth 
surfaces  on  which  to  place  the  dynamite  and  others  had  good  shoulders  against 
which  to  place  the  dynamite.  In  the  latter  case  a  saving  of  two-third  pounds 
of  dynamite  was  effected  on  large  rocks.  Mr.  McGuire  emphatically  stated 
that  he  would  mudcap  large  rocks  in  future  and  expend  his  surplus  energy 
in  some  other  directions  rather  than  drilling  granite." 

18 


After  Using  Red  Cross  Dynamite  Would  Not  Sell    Land   for 

$100.00  per  Acre  Which  Was  Not  Worth 

$5.00  Before 

I  follow  agricultural  blasting  among  the  farmers  of  this  section,  and  have 
used  a  great  amount  of  dynamite  in  this  work. 

In  stump  blasting  I  have  used  dynamite  on  all  kinds  and  all  sizes  of  stumps 
in  cultivated  and  uncultivated  fields,  and  my  experience  has  been  that  it  is  not 
only  quicker  and  more  satisfactory  than  any  other  method  but  it  is  cheaper 
by  two-thirds. 

As  to  boulder  blasting  probably  the  following  experience  may  be  of  some 
interest  to  you: 

In  1904  one  of  my  neighbors  bought  a  farm  of  about  108  acres.  There 
was  one  field  of  about  twenty-five  acres  that  had  never  been  cleared  up,  and 
boulders  lay  so  thick  that  I  have  crossed  the  entire  twenty-five  acres  without 
stepping  on  the  ground.  They  ranged  in  sizes  fro-m  one-half  ton  to  twenty 
tons,  and  many  of  them  weighing  from  five  to  eight  tons  were  imbedded  in  the 
ground  so  that  I  could  see  nothing  but  the  top. 

I  contracted  with  Mr.  Buechner  to  break  up  all  the  boulders  on  this  twenty- 
five  acres  in  shape  to  draw.  I  used  four  boxes  of  40  per  cent.  Extra  Red 
Cross  (low  freezing)  Dynamite,  which,  together  with  my  labor  charge,  cost 
him  $78  to  get  all  these  boulders  ready  for  a  team. 

Before  I  started  to  work  on  this  land  it  was  absolutely  worthless,  but  since 
then  I  have  seen  sixty-two  bushels  of  wheat  to  the  acre  grow  on  that  field, 
also  fifty-two  bushels  of  oats  per  acre  and  140  bushels  of  corn.  Furthermore, 
Mr.  Buechner  has  since  refused  about  three  tirnes  the  price  that  this  farm  cost 
him,  and  it  was  nothing  but  Red  Cross  Dynamite  that  put  it  in  shape. 

R.  T.  VAN  DUSEN,  Manlius,  N.  Y. 

It  is  all  quite  true  what  Mr.  Van  Dusen  stated.  The  land  was  not  worth 
$5  before,  but  is  as  good  now  as  any  in  the  neighborhood.  I  would  not  sell 
it  for  less  than  $100  per  acre. 

GODFREY  BUECHNER,  ManHus,  N.  Y. 


Breaking  Boulders 

I  have  had  excellent  results  in  removing  boulders  and  breaking  them  up 
with  mudcaps.  In  Massachusetts,  many  boulders  of  granite  formation,  known 
as  "hardheads"  are  found.  They  are  usually  round  and  smooth  and  frequently 
the  larger  portion  of  them  is  buried  in  the  ground.  They  are  regarded  as  a 
hard  proposition  by  experienced  blasters.  If  only  a  part  of  the  boulder  shows 
above  the  surface,  I  sound  with  a  three-eighth  inch  steel  rod  five  feet  long 
with  a  sharp  point  and  poker  handle,  to  determine  the  size  and  position  of  the 
stone  underground.  I  then  place  a  relatively  small  charge  of  dynamite  under 
one  end  or  one  side,  the  discharge  of  which  rolls  the  boulder  out  upon  the 
surface  of  the  ground.  It  then  takes  a  small  charge  of  dynamite  to  completely 
shatter  it.  I  frequently  dispose  of  the  pieces  by  placing  them  back  in  the  hole, 
thus  saving  the  expense  of  carting  them  away.  There  is  usually  room  in  the 
hole  for  all  of  the  pieces  and  still  allow  for  eighteen  inches  of  top  soil  over 
them. 

WINTHROP  FILLEBROWN,  Bryantville,  Mass. 


Largest  Boulders  Successfully  Blasted 

I  am  sending  you  a  photograph  of  a  rock  which  weighed  between  six  and 
eight  tons.  As  shown  by  the  picture  one  man  could  handle  any  piece  of  it 
after  the  blast.  The  farmer  for  whom  this  blasting  was  done  had  spent  for 
labor  from  $50  to  $60  in  clearing  five  or  six  acres  of  small  boulders.  I 
cleared  about  as  much  for  $8  by  using  Red  Cross  Dynamite. 

\V.  H.  NANGLE,  Thorndale,  Texas. 
19 


FIG.  14.— SHOWING  HOW  BLAST  BRINGS  OUT  ROOTS 


FIG.  15.— GROUJ:^  liLASi   WUH  BLASTING  MACHINE,  BARKSDALE,  WIS. 


FIG.  16.— AFTER  THE  BLAST,  BARKSDALE,  WIS. 
20 


Red  Cross  Dynamite  in  the  Turpentine  Industry 

What  It  Means  to  Owners  of  Cut-over  Land  and  Turpentine  Manufacturers 

The  manufacture  of  turpentine  and  rosin  is  a  very  important  industry  in 
seven  of  our  Southern  States.  In  1909  there  were  1,585  establishments  engaged 
in  manufacturing  these  products.  The  capital  invested  in  the  business  was  $12,- 
375,000  and  41,959  officials  and  workmen  were  employed  in  the  industry. 

There  were  produced  555,000  casks  of  turpentine,  valued  at  $17,680,000  and 
1,906,000  barrels  of  rosin,  valued  at  $18,255,000,  in  the  year  1910. 

Although  it  is  a  well-known  fact  that  the  stump  contains  a  larger  pro- 
portion of  the  material  from  which  turpentine,  rosin,  tar,  wood  oil,  creosote,  etc., 
are  obtained,  than  is  contained  in  the  trunk  and  branches  of  the  tree,  neverthe- 
less until  lately  only  the  trunk  and  branches  have  been  utilized  by  many  manu- 
facturers due  to  the  excessive  cost  of  getting  the  stump  out  of  the  ground  and 
breaking  it  up  into  sizes  that  would  go  into  the  "hogs."  Lately,  however, 
the  National  Turpentine  Company,  of  Georgia,  has  done  some  experimental 
work  with  excellent  results.  These  experiments  are  of  as  much  interest  to 
owners  of  cut-over  land  in  the  vicinity  of  turpentine  manufactories  as  to  the 
turpentine  manufacturers  themselves. 

In  the  course  of  making  these  experiments  the  National  Company  started 
using  stump  pullers,  which  required  in  themselves  a  rather  heavy  investment  of 
capital,  and  to  properly  use  which  they  were  compelled  to  employ  large  crews 
of  men  and  teams  of  horses,  making  the  cost  excessively  high.  Later,  it  was 
suggested  to  them  that  dynamite  could  do  this  work  much  more  efficiently  and 
economically.  The  experiment  was  tried  and  Mr.  T.  B.  Gautier,  President  of 
the  Company,  made  the  following  report: 

"When  measured,  the  stump  wood  amounted  to  seventeen  cords.  The  total 
cost  of  explosives  and  labor  was  $50.59,  or  an  average  of  about  $3.00  per  cord. 
These  seventeen  cords  treated  yielded  eight  gallons  more  of  turpentine  per  cord, 
thirty  pounds  more  of  rosin  and  twenty  gallons  more  of  tar  than  ordinary  wood. 
I  am  very  much  pleased  with  these  results  and  expect  to  use  dynamite  for  this 
purpose  hereafter.    I  certify  that  the  attached  report  is  correct." 

Labor  Cost 

Boring  holes,  1  man  7^  days  at  $1.25 $9.06^ 

Chopping  roots,  etc.,  1  man  28^^  hours  at  15  cents  per  hour 4.27^ 

Piling  and  loading,  1  man  2}i  days  at  $1.25 3.43^ 

Piling  and  loading,  1  man  2J^  days  at  $1.25 2.81J4 

Helper  on  ox  team,  1  man  2  days  at  $125 2.50 

Ox  team  and  driver,  1^  days  at  $3.00 4.50 

Extra  help  loading  cars,  2  men  ^  day  at  $125 63 

Total  labor $27.22 

Explosives 

304^  cartridges  dynamite  . $19.87 

400  ft.  fuse  at  50c.  per  hundred 2.00 

200  caps  at  75c.  per  hundred 1.50 

Total  Explosives $23.37 

Total  Cost $50.59 

154  stumps  were  blasted;  17  cords  produced;  cost  per  cord 3.00 

One  cord  stump  wood  produced  8  gallons  more  turpentine,  30  pounds  more 
rosin  and  20  gallons  more  tar  than  one  cord  of  tree  wood. 

Value  of  this  increase: 

8  gals.  Turpentine  at  26c.  per  gal $2.08 

30  lbs.  Rosin  at  IJ^c.  per  lb *. ". 45 

20  gals.  Tar  at  12c.  per  gal 2.40 

$4.93 
21 


Giving  a  net  profit  of  $1.93  in  favor  of  stump  wood. 

The  blaster  who  conducted  these  experiments  for  the  Turpentine  Company 
reports  that  the  Turpentine  Manufacturers  are  very  much  pleased  with  the 
results  and  that  land  owners  are  now  figuring  on  using  dynamite  for  removing 
stumps  from  their  properties  and  selling  them  to  the  Turpentine  Company  for 
$3.00  per  cord,  because  that  is  what  the  Company  is  willing  to  pay  for  pine 
stump  wood. 

It  is  an  admitted  fact  that  land  which  has  been  covered  with  pine  forests 
is  very  rich  in  plant  foods  and  will  yield  bounteous  crops  if  utilized  for  farms 
or  orchards.  The  drawback  heretofore  has  been  to  get  the  land  cleared  of 
stumps.  The  lumber  companies  have  already  cut  the  marketable  timber.  Some 
of  the  cut-over  lands  are  still  the  property  of  the  lumber  companies.  Many 
thousands  of  acres,  however,  have  been  sold  at  low  prices  to  settlers  who  have 
been  laboriously  clearing  it  by  digging,  grubbing  and  burning  a  little  at  a  time 
as  they  have  leisure  to  devote  to  it. 

These  cut-over  lands  can  now  be  cleared  up  rapidly  at  no  actual  expense 
to  the  settlers  and  lumber  companies  for  they  will  be  able  to  sell  the  stumps 
to  the  Turpentine  Companies  at  a  price  that  will,  at  least,  fully  cover  the  cost 
of  the  dynamite  and  labor  used  in  the  clearing  work. 

Apart  from  the  far-reaching  importance  which  this  has  to  the  agricultural 
development  of  these  seven  Southern  States,  it  is  of  greater  magnitude  to  the 
poor  settler,  who  will  now  be  able  to  clear  his  lands  and  get  them  into  shape 
for  the  production  of  large  and  profitable  crops.  Lumber  companies  still 
owning  cut-over  pine  lands  can  now  clear  them  and  sell  them  as  cleared  land 
for  at  least  double  the  price  they  can  secure  for  them  as  stump  encumbered 
land.  In  short,  by  clearing  the  land,  they  double  its  value  at  no  expense  to 
themselves,  because  the  cost  of  the  clearing  is  more  than  paid  for  by  the  money 
received  for  turpentine  from  the  stump. 


Value  of  Products  Obtained  From  Dynamited  Pine  Stumps 
Exceeds  Value  Obtained  From  Tree  Wood 

We  obtained  nine  cords  of  wood  from  seventy-five  stumps  at  a  total  cost 
of  approximately  $3.10  per  cord  delivered  at  our  plant.  This  included  a  haul 
of  about  half  a  mile. 

The  value  of  the  prod,uct  obtained  from  this  wood  exceeded  the  value 
obtained  from  the  tree  wood.  We  have  a  crew  at  work  shooting  stumps  now 
and  expect  to  start  another  crew  next  week.  From  present  appearances  we 
will  use  larger  quantities  of  Red  Cross  Dynamite  in  the  near  future. 

ATLANTIC  TURPENTINE  &  REFINING  CO.. 

E.  B.  Smith,  Gen.  Supt., 
Savannah,  Ga. 


Pine  Stumps  Blasted  Out,  Split  and  Ready  for  the  "Hogs" 
at  $2.66  per  Cord 

As  to  the  cost  of  producing  stump  wood  for  our  plant  with  dynamJte. 

The  cost  of  the  first  sixteen  cords  was  approximately  $2.66  per  cord  for 
shooting  out  the  stumps,  chopping  them  to  suitable  size  for  our  purpose  and 
piling  them  ready  for  the  wagons. 

We  have  gotten  out  several  car  loads  of  stump  wood  at  prices  varying  from 
$2.61  to  $2.98  per  cord. 

We  have  recently  made  our  first  run  of  stump  wood  with  very  satisfactory 
results. 

Today  we  are  ordering  our  second  shipment  of  explosives  and  expect  to  use 
^arge  quantities  of  dynamite  in  the  future. 


STANDARD  TURPENTINE  COMPANY, 

Per  Frank  L.  Fogarty,  Acting  Assistant  Treasurer. 

11 


The  foregoing  clearly  proves  the  advantages  of  clearing  land  with 
dynamite  instead  of  by  any  other  means,  and  the  following  is  a  condensed 
outline  of  the  benefits  derived  by  doing  this  work. 

The  stump-covered  site  of  a  former  piece  of  woods  is,  as  you  know, 
new,  rich  soil  that  needs  no  fertilizer. 

You  also  know  that  pulling  stumps  with  a  machine  is  the  hardest 
kind  of  work — liable  to  seriously  injure  yourself  or  your  horses,  and 
certain  to  require  a  lot  of  work  to  get  rid  of  the  stump  after  pulling. 

Then,  too,  it  leaves  the  field  full  of  holes,  that  must  be  filled ;  and 
plowing  the  hard,  packed  soil  around  old  roots  is  no  joke. 

If  instead  of  pulling  the  stumps  you  burn  them  out,  the  intense  heat 
required  destroys  the  humus  in  the  soil  all  around  the  fire  and  you  will 
have  a  burned  field  requiring  a  good  deal  of  cultivating  instead  of  new 
fertile  soil. 

You  can  dynamite  all  those  stumps  for  about  one-third  the  cost  of 
pulling  and  chopping  them  up. 

The  blast  splits  up  the  stump  into  firewood,  removes  all  the  dirt, 
breaks  all  the  main  roots,  and  loosens  the  soil  for  yards  around. 

You  can  blast  fifty  stumps  in  the  time  it  would  take  to  pull  and 
chop  up  one  or  two. 

One  man  can  do  all  the  work,  if  necessary. 

After  the  stumps  are  all  blasted  out,  you  will  have  a  new,  rich  field, 
easy  to  cultivate,  and  which  will  yield  bumper  crops. 

If  you  want  to  remove  a  whole  tree.  Red  Cross  Dynamite  will 
lift  it  bodily  out  of  the  ground,  and  it  will  usually  fall  with  the  wind. 
When  this  is  done,  there  is  no  stump  to  remove. 

The  split  stumps  can  be  removed  easily  to  one  place,  burned,  and 
the  ashes  saved  for  spreading  on  the  land  or  for  leaching. 

If  whole  stumps  are  preferred  for  making  fences,  they  may  be  blown 
out  whole  by  regulating  the  charges. 

Boulders,  which  you  are  now  obliged  to  plow  around,  can  be  broken 
up  into  easily-handled  blocks  by  a  single  blast. 

Red  Cross  Dynamite  not  only  removes  your  stumps  and  boulders  but 
at  the  same  time  subsoils  your  land.  The  action  of  the  explosion  is 
such  as  to  loosen  and  shake  up  the  subsoil  for  a  considerable  distance 
around,  the  blast  thereby  rendering  the  land  porous  and  mellow.  It  is 
an  easy  matter  to  pick  out,  after  crops  are  grown,  the  various  places 
where  stumps  have  been  blasted  because  of  the  great  diflference  in  yield 
as  compared  with  the  rest  of  the  field. 

All  of  the  foregoing  claims  are  conclusively  proven  by  the  letters 
of  disinterested  parties,  who  have  tried  our  methods,  which  are  quoted  in 
this  booklet.  Follow  their  advice ;  take  advantage  of  their  experience ; 
join  the  Red  Cross  Army  and  be  the  happy,  prosperous  owner  of  a 
productive,  sightlv  farm. 

23 


DITCHING 


AND 


DRAINAGE 


WITH 


RED  CROSS 
DYNAMITE 


FIG.   18.— 110  FOOT  DITCH  BLAST,  ELK  GROVE,   SACRAMENTO  CO.,  CALIF. 


FIG.    19.— GOVERNMENT  EXPERIMENT   IN   BLASTING  DITCHES, 
CHARLESTON,  S.  C. 


FIG.  20.— ANOTHER  DITCH.     SAME  EXPERIMENT 


26 


Reclamation  by  Drainage 

The  First  National  Drainage  Congress  met  in  Chicago  December  9, 
1911.    Among  the  facts  presented  were  the  following: 

That  there  are  in  the  United  States  more  than  75,000,000  acres  of 
swamp  land  that  are  non-productive. 

That  the  drainage  of  this  land  will  reclaim  it  for  agricultural  pur- 
suits and  add  several  billions  of  dollars  to  the  wealth  of  the  nation. 

The  location  of  these  reclaimable  swamp  lands  and  their  approx- 
imate areas  are  shown  in  the  table  below : 


ACRES. 

Alabama  1.120,000 

Arkansas  5.760,000 

California  1,850.000 

Connecticut 37,700 

Delaware 200,000 

Florida   18.500,000 

Georgia 2,400,000 

Illinois   2,688,000 

Indiana   1,000,000 

Iowa   . 800.000 

Kansas  160,000 

Kentucky    224,000 

Louisiana  9,600,000 

Maine  . 240,000 

Maryland   356,000 

Massachusetts    138.700 

Michigan  4.400,000 

Minnesota  4.500,000 

Mississippi   6.173.000 

Missouri   1,920,000 

Nebraska 256,000 

New  Hampshire 43.000 


ACRES. 

New  Jersey   601.900 

New  York 576,000 

North  Carolina  2,400,000 

North  Dakota  226,000 

Ohio 200,000 

Oklahoma   35,000 

Oregon 500,000 

Pennsylvania        96,000 

Rhode  Island  17.900 

South  Carohna  1.760.000 

South  Dakota  226,000 

Tennessee 800.000 

Texas 1.620,000 

Vermont  70,000 

Virginia 384,000 

Washington 75,000 

West  Virginia  '   2,500 

Wisconsin    2.500,000 

Wyoming .• 25,000 


Total 74.541,700 


A  writer  in  a  Southern  publication  gives  the  following  interesting 
information  regarding  the  swamp  areas  of  the  United  States  and  the 
value  of  these  areas  if  they  were  drained. 

"The  latent  wealth  in  10,000,000  acres  of  reclaimable  delta  and 
overflow  lands  of  Louisiana  is  so  much  greater  than  any  discovery  of 
mineral  wealth  in  gold  deposits  that  was  ever  made  that  it  is  hard  to 
make  a  comparison.  If  that  land  were  reclaimed,  settled  and  cultivated, 
with  a  settler  and  his  family  on  every  ten-acre  farm,  it  would  yield 
every  year  food  products  that  could  be  sold  for  gold  aggregating  a 
thousand  million  dollars  a  year.  And  if  it  were  known  that  along  the 
marshes  of  your  coasts  and  under  the  waters  of  your  bayous  there 
was  $1,000,000,000  contained  in  gold  deposits  of  some  form,  you  would 
have  a  gold  rush  from  every  part  of  the  world  that  would  bring 
greater  multitudes  to  your  state  than  the  gold  discovery  of  1849  took 
to  California. 

"There  is  no  place  in  this  world  where  such  latent  possibilities  of 
agricultural  wealth  exist  on  such  a  stupendous  scale  as  in  Louisiana. 

"This  whole  question  of  land  reclamation  or  drainage  is  of  enor- 
mous importance  nationally.  There  are  estimated  to  be  74,541,700 
acres  that  can  be  reclaimed  by  drainage  and  it  is  scattered  through 
forty  states." 


27 


FIG.  21.— DYNAMITING  DIGS  DITCHES   THROUGH  LAND  THAT  CANNOT 
BE  ECONOMICALLY  HANDLED  OTHERWISE 


FIG.  22.— A  DITCH  BLASTED  AROUND  A  CORNER  IN  ONE  BLAST 


28 


Col.  Will  L.  Sargent,  traveling  immigration  agent  of  the  joint 
Texas  and  Louisiana  Immigration  Bureau,  is  another  enthusiastic  be- 
liever in  reclamation  by  the  drainage  process  and  has  spent  a  great 
deal  of  his  time  studying  land  conditions,  soil  possibilities,  the  results 
of  reclamation,  the  crops  that  are  produced  after  the  land  has  been 
reclaimed  and  every  other  phase  of  the  subject. 

"The  reclamation,  by  drainage,  of  our  wet  lands  will  produce 
better  health,"  declared  Col.  Sargent,  ''and  if  the  74,000,000  acres  in 
the  United  States  were  reclaimed  and  divided  into  40-acre  farms  there 
would  be  added  1,850,000  new  farms.  And  if  each  farmer  spent  $350 
per  annum  the  purchasing  power  of  this  class  of  farmers  alone  would 
mean  $647,500,000  that  would  go  into  the  various  channels  of  trade, 
etc.'' 

Continuing  further  along  that  line.  Col.  Sargent  said:  "Estimating 
five  persons  to  the  family  for  each  of  the  40-acre  farms,  the  agricul- 
tural population  of  the  United  States  would  be  increased  5,550,000. 
Under  intense  cultivation  these  lands  could  be  made  to  produce,  at  a 
most  conservative  estimate,  $50  per  acre,  or  $3,700,000,000,  as  an 
additional  production  of  wealth  which  would  be  distributed  throughout 
the  country.  ^ 

"The  federal  government  places  the  cost  for  draining  at  from  $2 
to  $30  per  acre.  Let  us  place  the  average  cost  at  $25  per  acre,  and 
you  will  find  that  the  total  cost  for  reclaiming  the  74,000,000  acres 
would  amount  to  $1,850,000,000.  Any  drained  project,  if  served  by 
transportation,  judiciously  managed,  will  yield  a  much  larger  profit  as 
an  investment  than  almost  any  other  line  that  is  conservative  that  one 
can  engage  in.    Besides,  it  is  a  safe  investment. 

"The  cost  of  drainage,  as  compared  with  other  work  of  improve- 
ment, is  small,"  continued  Col.  Sargent.  "The  average  cost  of  the 
reclaiming  of  arid  and  semi-arid  lands  for  irrigation  in  the  western 
part  of  the  United  States,  which  is  done  by  the  federal  government 
under  the  Cary  Act,  is  about  $36  per  acre,  some  projects  costing  as 
high  as  $100  per  acre.  It  is  a  safe  conclusion  to  say  that  a  person 
can  acquire  at  least  two  acres  of  drained  land  for  the  cost  of  one  of 
irrigated  lands.  Besides  the  greater  portion  of  the  lands  subject  to 
drainage  already  have,  or  there  are  nearby,  transportation  facilities 
as  well  as  settlement,  which  is  seldom  the  case  with  irrigated  projects. 

"If  these  rich  lands  were  drained  and  placed  upon  the  market,  we 
would  not  only  stop  the  great  tide  of  emigration  from  the  United 
States  to  Canada,  but  in  turn  could  secure  many  Canadians  that  are 
well-to-do,  and  who  have  become  tired  of  that  frigid  climate  and 
desire  to  migrate  where  they  do  not  have  to  house  their  stock  and 
themselves  nine  months  in  the  year  to  keep  from  freezing,  thereby 
consuming  the  most  of  their  products  made  during  the  short-crop 
season." 

In  order  to  present  the  magnitude  of  the  swamp  areas  of  this  coun- 
try, it  is  simply  necessary  for  us  to  state  that  it  equals  about  one- 
sixth  of  the  entire  cultivated  areas  of  the  country. 

These  swamp  lands  are  exceedingly  rich  in  humus  and  valuable 
plant  foods.  When  drained  and  prepared  for  cultivation,  they  will 
produce  larger  crops  than  any  other  existing  soils. 

29 


FIG.  23.— DITCH  BLASTED  AT  WESTCHESTER,  PA.,  TO  CHANGE  COURSE 

OF  STREAM 


FIG.  24.— DITCH  BLASTED  IN  HEAVY  SOIL  AT  ALBANY,  ORE. 


30 


{J  [Advantages  of  Red  Cross  Dynamite  for  Ditching 

Farmers  have  been  using  Red  Cross  Dynamite  for  draining  swamps 
and  wet  fields  for  many  years,  and  much  valuable  farm  land  has  been 
reclaimed  and  made  available  for  cropping  by  so  doing.  The  cost 
of  the  work  and  of  the  explosives  is  very  small  compared  with  the 
value  of  the  land  reclaimed. 

The  draining  is  accomplished  in  one  of  two  ways,  depending  upon 
conditions.  Sometimes  it  is  better  to  drain  wet  land  by  ditching,  while 
at  other  times  it  is  more  practicable  to  permit  the  water  to  escape  by 
a  process  of  seepage  through  the  soil. 

It  is  not  always  possible  to  drain  by  ditching.  Whether  it  can 
be  done  in  that  way  depends  upon  whether  the  slope  of  the  land  per- 
mits. If  the  swampy  or  wet  spot  is  low,  surrounded  on  all  sides  by 
hills,  ditching  would  not  work.  The  drainage  can  then  best  be  done 
by  subsoil  blasting.  This  is  done  by  exploding  charges  of  dynamite 
sunk  deep  in  the  ground,  which  breaks  up  the  hard  soil  and  allows  the 
water  to  find  an  outlet  through  the  sand  and  gravel  beneath.  Whether 
this  is  practicable,  of  course,  depends  upon  the  thickness  of  the  stratum 
of  impervious  subsoil  and  also  upon  its  depth  beneath  the  surface  soil. 

For  ditching,  blasting  is  superior  to  old  time  pick  and  shovel 
methods  in  every  way.  One  of  the  most  difficult  problems  the  modern 
farmer  has  to  face  is  the  securing  of  farm  labor.  Therefore,  any 
method  of  doing  farm  work  which  makes  possible  the  employment  of 
fewer  men  is  recognized  as  a  good  thing.  To  dig  a  big  ditch  quickly  by 
manual  labor  requires  the  employment  of  a  number  of  men  for  a  con- 
siderable period  of  time.  Where  are  the  men  to  be  had?  Using 
dynamite  for  ditching  solves  the  farmer's  problem.  One  man  equipped 
with  a  pointed  steel  bar,  a  sledge  hammer  and  a  supply  of  dynamite 
cartridges,  fuse  and  blasting  caps,  or  electric  blasting  machine,  can 
excavate  as  much  ditch  in  one  day  as  many  men  could  dig  out  with 
picks  and  shovels. 

Blasting  a  ditch  is  a  very  simple  matter.  After  making  the  holes 
the  proper  depth  with  the  pointed  bar  or  punch,  the  blaster  places 
the  dynamite  cartridges  at  the  bottom  of  the  holes,  and  then  explodes  the 
charges.  The  dynamite  does  all  the  work.  If  soil  conditions  are  favor- 
able, the  result  is  a  nice,  clean  ditch  of  the  required  depth  and  width,  the 
earth  being  spread  evenly  over  the  ground  along  the  banks,  and  turning 
in  the  water  clears  away  what  little  of  the  dirt  may  have  fallen  back  into 
the  trench  after  the  blast.  The  cost  of  ditching  with  dynamite  runs 
from  8c.  to  12c.  per  cubic  yard,  compared  with  an  average  cost  of  25c. 
per  cubic  yard  when  the  work  is  done  with  pick  and  shovel. 

Dynamite  is  not  recommended  for  excavating  large  ditches  having 
a  depth  greater  than  6  feet,  or  width  greater  than  16  feet,  but  within 
these  limits  it  is  the  quickest  and  usually  the  cheapest  means  for  ditching. 

In  large  reclamation  projects  the  main  canals  can  usually  be  ex- 
cavated cheaper  by  dredging  machines,  but  for  laterals  and  sub-laterals 
Red  Cross  Extra  Dynamite  is  better. 

31 


FIG.  28.— AFTER  A  BIG  DITCH  BLAST  AT  DIEHLSTADT,  MO. 


FIG.  29.— SAME  DITCH  AS  IN  UPPER  VIEW,  FILLED 


34 


Land  Value  Increased  $130.00  per  Acre 

Whiteside,  Kansas,  February  21,  1912. 

In  reference  to  the  wet  land  shot  for  me  by  Mr.  A.  G.  Crabb: 

There  never  has  been  any  water  stand  on  this  land   since   shooting.     It 

cost  me  about  fifteen  dollars  ($15.00),  and  I  have  had  as  good  oats  on  it  as 

on  any  of  the  field.    This  year  it  is  in  wheat,  and  the  wheat  looks  better  where 

the  pond  stood  than  on  the  rest  of  the  field. 

Before  shooting  this  land  was  worthless,  but  I  have  since  refused  $130.00 

per  acre. 

GEORGE  W.  SIEGRIST, 

Hutchinson,  Kansas. 


Du  Pont  Dynamite  Saves  $435.00  for  This  Missouri  Farmer 
and  Increased  Value  of  His  Farm  by  Increased  Crops 

On  March  10th,  1911,  a  large  ditch  was  shot  at  Diehlstadt,  Mo.,  on  the 
farm  of  Mr.  Max  L.  Ostner.  See  opposite  page,  showing  finished  ditch  and 
water  flowing  through  it. 

The  length  of  the  ditch  made  was  1,720  feet.  Three  rows  of  holes,  3  feet 
apart  each  way,  were  drilled,  the  rows  being  staggered.  The  center  row  of 
holes  were  3  feet  8  inches  deep  and  the  two  outside  rows  3  feet  deep.  In  each 
of  the  centre  holes  were  loaded  3  cartridges,  Hercules  50%,  1J4  x  8,  and  in 
each  of  the  outside  holes  2  cartridges.  It  was  originally  planned  to  fire  the 
entire  1,720  feet  of  ditch  with  one  set  of  primer  holes,  i.  e.,  two  holes  in 
each  row,  these  holes  being  loaded  with  an  extra  cartridge,  containing  the 
cap  and  fuse.  When  fired  500  feet  of  the  ditch  was  cleaned  out,  and  it 
developed  that  there  was  a  dry  sand  ridge  in  the  centre  of  the  1,720  feet 
which  extended  about  400  feet,  this  preventing  the  entire  1,720  feet  from  being 
excavated  with  the  one  priming.  A  second  primer  group  was  arranged  and 
in  this  shot  800  feet  of  ditch  was  made.  Several  extra  primings  were  neces- 
sary to  get  the  dry  sand  ridge  blown  out  cleanly.  There  was  about  1  foot  of 
water  in  all  the  holes  blasted  with  the  exception  of  those  in  the  dry  sand  ridge. 
The  soil  in  the  remainder  of  the  ditch  was  a  sandy  loam  with  some  mixture 
of  clay. 

The  ditch  made  was  16  feet  wide  at  the  top,  8  feet  wide  at  the  bottom  and 
averaged  4  feet  in  depth.     It  was  fairly  well  cleaned  out  all  along. 

The  total  cost  of  the  ditch  was  $329.00.  There  was  moved  3,058  cubic  yards  of 
material,  costing  10.76c.  per  cubic  yard  for  the  entire  work,  against  25c.  per  cubic 
yard  if  the  ditch  had  been  dug  by  pick  and  shovel. 

The  temperature  at  the  time  of  demonstration  was  62  degrees  R,  in  the 
sun,  and  49  degrees  in  the  shade.  The  temperature  of  the  water  in  the  holes 
was  35   degrees   Fahrenheit. 


Dynamite  Cuts  Cost  in  Two 

Onamia,  Minn.,  Aug.  9,  1911. 
In  regard  to  ditching  with  dynamite  will  say.  it's  grand  in  wet  ground.  The 
ditch  dug  on  my  place  would  cost  me  at  least  80c.  per  rod,  and  with  dynamite 
it  was  less  than  half;  and  then  such  quick  work.  One  minute  after  loading 
was  done  the  water  came  running  in  like  the  ditch  had  been  there  all  the 
time.     I  think  it  was  fine. 

Yours  very  truly, 

PETER   PETERSON. 

35 


FIG.  25.— BEFORE  THE  BLAST,  BURKETT  FARM,  NEWBURGH,  N.  Y. 


FIG.  26.— THE  BLAST 


FIG.  27.— A  FEW  MINUTES  AFTER  THE  BLAST 
32 


Successful  Ditching  on  Farm  of  Editor  of 
American  Agriculturist 

Newburgh,  N.  Y.,  July  18,  1911. 

"The  dynamite  demonstration  on  my  farm  last  week  was  an  emphatic  suc- 
cess. The  ditching  was  a  complete  surprise  to  everybody.  The  dynamite 
certainly  did  the  work  and  made  as  pretty  a  ditch  as  ever  I  saw.  (See  u  ts 
on  page  32.) 

"The  subsoiling  work  I  am  confident  is  full  of  promise.  I  shall  follow  all 
these  matters  very  carefully  from  year  to  year  and  record  just  what  results 
have  been  obtained. 

"C.  N.  BURKETT." 


A  Professional  Blaster's  Report  of  Some 
Drainage  Blasts 

Hutchinson,  Kan.,  January  16,  1912. 

E.  I.  DU  Pont  de  Nemours  Powder  Co. 
Wilmington,  Del. 

Gentlemen : 

Received  your  letter,  have  read  it  over  carefully  and  would  say  that  the 
Severance  Farm,  where  I  dynamited  has  raised  in  value  fifty  dollars  per  acre  and 
also  that  the  Wells  Place  three  miles  south  of  Hutchinson  where  I  dynamited  to 
drain  ground,  was  just  in  small  patches,  but  he  got  enough  wheat  off  the  blasted 
ground  to  pay  for  shooting  his  whole  eighty  acres. 

As  for  Mr.  Spankenberg^r  he  had  a  big  basin  in  the  middle  of  his  field. 
I  went  out  there  last  Februa  y  and  shot  fifty  pounds  of  Du  Pont  40%  Red 
Cross  on  this  five  acres  and  in  one  week  from  the  day  I  shot  this  we  had  six 
inches  of  rainfall  (in  one  week)  and  Mr.  Spankenberger  rode  out  to  his  field 
expecting  to  find  a  pond  as  usual,  but  to  his  surprise  his  ground  was  dry, 
no  water  standing  in  this  basin.  This  was  a  poor  corn  year  in  this  country, 
but  Mr.  Spankenberger  raised  corn  enough  on  this  basin  to  more  than  pay  for 
shooting  this   land. 

Mr.  Jake  Siegrist,  four  miles  southwest  of  Hutchinson,  had  a  piece  of 
land  similar  to  Mr.  Spankenberger's  and  T  shot  fifty  pounds  of  dynamite 
on  it  and  he  raised  a  corn  crop  on  it  this  year.  Also  Mr.  George  Siegrist  at 
Whiteside.  Kan.,  had  a  piece  of  land  on  his  place  of  five  acres  that  was  worth- 
less. I  shot  thirty  pounds  of  dvnamite  on  this  ground  one  year  ago  and  today 
this  ground  is  worth  seventy  dollars  per  acre. 

I  went  up  into  Pawnee  County  two  years  ago  and  shot  a  piece  of  ground 
that  was  under  water  two  feet  deep  at  the  time,  consisting  of  thirty  acres.  I 
drained  the  water  all  off  that  ground  with  twenty-five  pounds  of  dynamite  and 
Mr.  Ford  plowed  this  up  and  sowed  it  to  alfalfa  and  he  has  got  as  nice  a 
field  of  alfalfa  now  as  there  is  in  Pawnee  County. 

I  also  dynamited  thirtv  tree  holes  for  Mr.  Friends  in  Rozel.  Kans.,  and  he 
did  not  lose  a  tree.  I  also  dynamited  thirty  tree  holes  for  Mr.  Smith  and 
every  tree  he  planted  lived  but  one.  I  dynamited  thirty-one  tree  holes  for 
Mr.  Yaggar  of  Rozel,  Kans.,  and  his  trees  all  lived,  and  trees  don't  grow  in 
this  country  in  an  ordinary  tree  hole. 

All  of  those  places  I  have  told  you  about  I  have  kept  personal  track  of  and 
I  know  what  they  were  and  what  they  are  now,  besides  dozens  of  others. 

Yours  truly, 

A.  G.   CRABB, 
720  E.  7th  Street, 

Hutchinson,  Kans. 
33 


Ten  Days'  Work  in  One  Day 

Relative  to  the  demonstration  of  ditching  work  given  by  your  company  on 
May  16th,  at  Vandalia,  I  would  advise  that  the  result  of  this  demonstration  was 
highly  satisfactory  to  all  interested. 

The  ditch  averaged  4  feet  deep  and  6  feet  wide  at  the  top.  Owing  to  the 
fact  that  the  work  was  done  in  dry  ground  it  was  necessary  to  use  a  battery  in 
connection  with  same.  This  increased  the  cost  of  the  work.  In  the  manner 
in  which  the  ditch  was  shot,  tL  expense  averaged  $1.30  per  rod,  Had  the 
ground  been  wet  the  cost  would  have  been  90c.  per  rod.  To  have  done  the 
work  with  teams  and  scrapers  would  have  cost  us  $1.50  per  rod  and  required 
10  days  to  complete  the  work  that  was  done  in  one  day. 

Yours  truly, 

GEO.  F.  SNERLY. 
District  Drainage  Commissioner,  Fayette  County,  111. 

Does  Four  Days*  Work  in  Three  Hours 

London  Grove,  Pa.,  November  6,  1911. 

I  am  pleased  to  advise  that  I  have  used  Red  Cross  Dynamite  for  draining 
swamps  on  my  property,  reclaiming  ■  about  one-eighth  of  an  acre,  which  has 
always  been  unproductive.     This  is  now  pasture  land. 

This  land  was  drained  by  ditching,  and  I  found  the  use  of  dynamite  for 
this  work  less  than  one-third  the  cost  of  digging  by  hand  and  then  hauling 
away  the  dirt.  The  time  consumed  in  ditching  with  dynamite  required  about 
three  hours  for  one  man,  and  by  the  old  method  of  digging  it  would  have 
taken  one  man  at  least  four  days.  This  would  have  left  dirt  on  the  ridge 
along  the  drain,  whereas  by  using  dynamite  it  was  distributed  evenly  along 
the  sides. 

T.  S.  GROFF. 

Uses  Dynamite  in  Irrigation  Ditching 

Billings,  Montana,  Feb.  17,  1912. 

Last  spring  (1911),  your  Mr.  J.  C.  Horgan  made  four  shots  on  my  place. 
The  idea  was  to  loosen  up  the  gravel  and  hardpan  so  that  the  water  would 
drain  from  the  low  ground  into  the  drain  ditch  which  traverses  my  property. 

Hitherto,  during  the  irrigating  season,  water  would  stand  on  low  areas  of 
my  ground,  and  it  would  be  necessary  for  me  to  run  lateral  drain  ditches 
from  the  main  ditch  to  the  low  spots.  Mr.  Horgan  put  holes  down  about  five 
feet  and  charged  them  with  one  and  one-half  pounds  of  Dupont  Red  Cross 
dynamite. 

This  summer  the  ground  thus  shot  absolutely  drained  into  the  main 
drain  and  water  would  not  stand  on  it,  so  1  can  recommend  this  system  to 
any  wishing  to  overcome  similar  conditions. 

Yours  truly,  BILLINGS  GREENHOUSE  CO., 

By  J.  W.  Partington. 

Endorsed  by  Experiment  Station 

We  have  done  some  remarkably  efficient  ditching  work  at  a  small  cost  (com- 
pared to  teams  and  pick  and  shovel)  by  using  dynamite.  I  have  in  mind  a  piece  of 
ditch  50  feet  long,  6  feet  wide,  and  3  feet  deep,  which  was  dug  at  a  cost  of  12^ 
cents  per  cubic  yard.  An  argument  that  greatly  favors  using  dynamite  in  this 
particular  kind  of  work  is  that  no  water  holding  banks  are  thrown  up,  resulting 
in  almost  perfect  surface  drainage.  Another  feature  greatly  in  favor  of  using 
dynamite  in  ditching  is  the  rapidity  in  which  it  can  be  done.  When  the  ground  is 
wet  and  heavy,  and  farming  operations  are  at  an  enforced  standstill,  then  is  the 
time  to  do  the  best  work  in  ditching — with  dynamite. 

.  PAUL  D.  PERKINS, 
•  Supt.  Angleton  Station, 

Texas  Agricultural  Experiment  Stations. 

36 


8000  Acres  Reclaimed  by  Ditching 

Hernando,  Miss.,  Jan.  15,  1912. 

Your  letter  received  this  A.  M.  in  regard  to  the  use  of  explosives.  I 
have  had  a  very  remarkable  success  in  this  line,  especially  in  blasting  stumps, 
ditches  and  hardpan. 

There  was  a  large  drainage  district  in  this  county,  called  Hurricane  Swamp 
Land  District,  comprising  about  eight  thousand  (8,000)  acres  of  land  not 
susceptible  to  cultivation.  Bonds  were  issued  to  the  amount  of  $10,000  for  a 
ditch  8  feet  wide  and  from  2J^  to  10  feet  deep.  My  father  was  interested 
in  several  thousand  acres  of  land  in  this  district,  so  he  bought  the  bonds  and 
carried  out  the  contract  of  excavating  the  canal. 

I  was  put  in  charge  of  the  above  work  and  completed  the  canal,  using  over 
two  thousand  ($2,000)  dollars  worth  of  Red  Cross  Dynamite  bought  from  Levi 
Joy  &  Company,  of  Memphis,  Tenn.  I  started  this  work,  removing  the  stumps 
with  a  stump  puller,  but  found  I  had  struck  a  hard  proposition.  My  first 
order  for  one  thousand  (1,000)  pounds  of  40%  dynamite  made  the  stumps 
come  so  easy  that  I  thought  blasting  the  ditch  was  possible,  so  I  began  and 
in  a  few  days  could  remove  more  dirt  for  $1.50  invested  in  dynamite  than 
$3.00  of  shovel  work.  I  made  average  of  handling  dirt  at  llj^c.  per  cubic 
yard  where  it  would  have  cost  me  20c.  to  shovel  same.  Where  the  cut  was  more 
than  6  ft.  negroes  would  not  attempt  to  use  the  shovel  but  wanted  barrows. 
So  here  is  where  Mr.  Negro  lost  out,  as  the  dynamite  blew  it  out  most  suc- 
cessfully. 

The  above  canal  was  in  made  land  from  4  to  10  feet  deep  and  required 
considerable  boring  to  get  under  some  of  the  largest  stumps,  but  after  the 
explosion  I  had  no  bother  with  pulling  the  remains  off  right  of  way.  In 
using  the  stump  puller  it  was  more  trouble  to  remove  the  stumps  after  being 
pulled  as  the  dirt  remaining  on  some  of  the  stumps  would  weigh  tons  and 
had  to  be  loosened  and  knocked  off  with  the  use  of  two  (2)  sticks  of  dyna- 
mite. When  using  dynamite  a  man  could  roll  it  off  with  little  trouble  right 
away,  and  without  the  dynamite  he  could  have  hardly  pulled  it  off  with  eight 
yoke  of  cattle. 

This  land  that  was  worthless  is  now  the  finest  land  in  the  county.  I  have  used 
the  40%  dynamite  in  all  of  my  work  and  we  attribute  the  fast  coming  and  washing 
due  to  the  use  of  your  explosives.  I  hope  to  dynamite  about  15  acres  of  my  own 
farm  between  now  and  the  15th  of  March.  The  above  work  will  be  subsoiHng  as 
we  have  a  very  heavy  clay  subsoil  in  this  district.  I  thoroughly  understand  setting 
trees  with  dynamite  and  all  its  branches.  Yours  very  truly, 

N.  C.  BANKS. 
Box  14,  Hernando,  Miss. 


Straightens  Creek  With  Dynamite 

Yalmar,  Mich.,  Scot.  21,  1911. 

The  ditching  proposition  hit  me  the  most  and  would  never  believe  until  I 
saw  your  men  do  it  here,  as  the  creek  was  making  all  kinds  of  turns  and 
swings  and  cutting  my  farm  up  in  an  awful  shape,  and  I  could  have  had  it 
done  long  before  this  if  I  had  only  known  how,  and  with  a  great  deal  less 
labor  and  at  half  cost  than  to  do  it  with  a  team  and  scraper.  Even  then  it 
would  have  been  very  hard  to  get  it  done  on  account  of  all  the  roots  and  big 
stones  there  are  in  places  which  were  easily  shot  out  with  dynamite. 

The  ditch  they  shot  here  to  my  measure  was  80  feet  long  and  7  feet 
wide  and  3J/2  at  bottom,  3^  feet  to  4  deep  with  the  cost  of  $2.25,  which  would 
cost  me  close  to  $125  per  rod  if  I  was  to  have  it  done  with  team  and  scraper 
or  with  a  shovel. 

CHAS.  WILSON. 
37 


FIG.  30.— DITCH  BLASTED  WITH  DYNAMITE.     RIDER  CRANBERRY 
BOGS,  HAMMONTON,  N.  J. 


FIG.  31.— ANOTHER  DYNAMITED  DITCH  ON  RIDER  BOGS 


38 


Ditching  Cranberry  Bogs 

This  class  of  ditching  differs  from  the  ordinary  because  what  is 
required  is  not  merely  a  means  of  removing  surplus  water  from  land, 
but  also  a  means  of  flooding  the  same  land  several  times  a  year. 

The  sort  of  land  best  adapted  for  cranberry  culture  is  ideal  for 
ditching  with  dynamite  because  wet  and  heavy. 

The  method  used  is  by  propagated  blast  from  a  central  detonator, 
no  blasting  machine  or  electric  fuzes  being  required. 

The  lettcF  printed  below  is  from  one  of  the  country's  leading 
cranberry  growers  and  a  pioneer  in  the  use  of  dynamite  for  ditching, 
he  having  successfully  used  it  for  twenty  years.  At  the  1911  annual 
meeting  of  the  American  Cranberry  Growers  Association,  Mr.  Rider 
stated  he  had  never  experienced  any  casualties  in  using  dynamite  and 
considered  it  safer  to  handle  than  gasoline. 

Note  his  statement  regarding  effect  of  blasting  on  fungus.  This 
bears  out  similar  experiences  of  orchardists. 


Dynamite  Successfully  Used  for  Twenty  Years  in 

Cranberry  Growing 

Mr.  A.  J.  Rider,  Secretary  of  the  American  Cranberry  Growers'  Associa- 
tion, of  Hammonton,  N.  J.,  writes : 

I  have  used  dynamite  in  the  development  of  my  cranberry  enterprises 
with  success  and  economy  for  the  past  twenty  years.  In  removing  obstruc- 
tions from  water  courses,  opening  ditches  and  preparing  the  way  for  dams  and 
flood-gates,  it  is  especially  useful.  I  keep  a  supply  on  hand  at  all  times,  and 
my  foremen  are  all  instructed  in  its  use.  The  saving  in  time  and  labor  thus 
effected  is  very  great. 

Dynamite  will  make  a  straight  ditch  and  under  conditions  with  which 
nothing  but  a  dredging  machine  could  cope.  In  excavating  for  flood-gates 
the  mud  walls  are  temporarily  packed  so  solidly  that  water  hardly  seeps 
through.  A  crowbar  and  a  stick  of  dynamite  will  stop  a  leak  in  a  dam  that 
would  otherwise  require  hours,  and  possibly  days  of  labor.  All  cranberry  plants 
are  susceptible  to  fungus  diseases,  and  much  experimenting  has  been  done  by 
growers  and  government  experts  to  control  this  enemy.  Without  being  able 
to  give  scientific  reasons  I  owe  it  to  dynamite  that  there  has  never  been  fungus 
growth  at  Hampton,  one  of  my  largest  plantations,  where  I  have  used  it  freely. 

If  the  advantages  to  be  obtained  through  the  use  of  dynamite  were  brought 
to  the  attention  of  all  large  cranberry  growers  I  believe  you  would  be  doing 
them  a  great  service. 

Very  truly  yours,  A.  J.  RIDER. 

Ditching  With  Dynamite  Costs  ^^  Ordinary  Method 

St.  Louis,  Mo.,  February  8,  1912. 
We  take  pleasure  in  advising  you  that  in  the  month  of  November,  1911,  we 
dug  a  ditch  with  dynamite — about  500  yards  long,  10  feet  wide  and  4  feet  deep. 
The  result  was  very  satisfactory  and  gratifying,  and  the  cost  was  not  much 
more  than  one-fourth  of  digging  the  ditch  by  ordinary  methods. 

If  you  have  any  prospective  patrons  in  this  section  of  the  country,  will  take 
great  pleasure  in  giving  them  the  facts,  and  if  they  care  to,  showing  them  the 
result  of  the  ditching  done  by  us. 

Very   truly  yours, 
ISLAND  REALTY  AND  INVESTMENT  CO. 

39 


FIG.  32.— PLACING  CHARGE  FOR  DRAINING  POND  AT  NEWARK,  DEL. 


^^^^j^^^^s^,_,£MMMmM 


tm^M^mm 


;J^^ 


FIG.  33.— A  FEW  MINUTES  AFTER  THE  BLAST  OF  POND 


40 


Draining  Frog  Ponds  or  Wet  Spots 

.  Swamps  and  ponds,  except  where  they  are  close  to  rivers,  lakes 
or  the  ocean,  are  caused  by  spring  or  surface  water  collecting  on  low 
ground  without  a  lower  outlet  and  which  is  underlaid  by  clay  or 
other  subsoil  that  the  water  cannot  sink  through.  When  it  is  not 
practicable  to  drain  these  swamps  by  ditching  they  can  often  be  per- 
manently dried  up  by  shattering  the  impervious  subsoil  in  the  lowest 
places  with  dynamite. 


Former  Pond  Yields  $75  per  Acre  Crop 

UNITED  STATES   DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

BUREAU   OF   PLANT  INDUSTRY, 

Washington,  D.  C. 

Office  of  Farmers'  Co-operative  Demonstration  Work. 

MoRRiLLTON,  Ark.,  Jan.  18,  1912. 
E.  I.  DU  Pont  de  Nemours  Powder  Co. 
Wilmington,  Del. 

Gentlemen : 

As  per  your  request,  I  here  give  you  my  experience  with  dynamite  as  a 
water  sinker  in  my  field  in  Georgia. 

I  had  a  lime  sink  in  my  field  and  the  water 
would  collect  in  that  basin  and  would  cover  about 
one  acre  and  a  half  of  ground,  so  some  years  when 
we  had  excessive  rainfall  I  could  not  plant  it  to 
anything. 

My  brother  came  to  see  me  on  a  visit  and  he 
said:  "Why  don't  you  put  down  a  hole  25  or  35 
feet  and  shoot  it  with  dynamite  and  sink  the 
water  ?"  So  I  put  down  a  hole  23  ft.  and  shot  it, 
and  it  sunk  the  water. 

I  weighed  the  corn  that  I  gathered  from  the 
V/2  acres  the  first  year  and  I  got  a  few  pounds 
more  than  100  bushels  of  just  as  good  corn  as  I 
have  made  in  my  life.  This  made  more  than 
$75.00,  whereas  I  had  been  getting  nothing  from 
this  land,  besides  it  was  very  disagreeable  to  have 
to  work  around  this  wet  spot  each  year. 

That  was  the  only  year  I  gathered  the  corn 
separately,  although  it  seemed  to  be  better  every 
year  I  cultivated  it  until  I  sold  the  farm,  and  I  do 
know  that  the  land  worked  better  every  year. 
This  experience  of  mine,  and  the  results  which  I 
secured  is  what  makes  me  recommend  subsoiling 
with  dynamite  so  strongly.       Yours  very  truly, 

JOHN  W.  PARLIN,    Special  Agent. 


FIG    34 

BLASTING 

THE 

POND 

SHOWN  ON 

OPPOSITE 

PAGE 


i 


41 


Ditching  With  Dynamite  Endorsed  by  High  Authority 

UPPER    PENINSULA    STATION 
Leo  M.  Geismar,  Supt. 
Michigan  Experiment  Station 

Chatham,  Mich.,  March  11,  1912. 

I  have  used  many  tons  of  dynamite  within  the  past  twenty  years,  both  in 
removing  stumps  and  for  breaking  up  large  boulders,  and  having  never  seen 
dynamite  used  for  digging  ditches,  I  became  interested  in  a  demonstration 
which  your  Company  made  in  this  neighborhood  last  summer.  The  test  was 
made  on  a  side  hill  underlaid  with  a  ledge  of  magnesian  limestone  about 
five  feet  below  the  surface.  Springs  about  half-way  up  the  side  hill  kept 
the  lower  half  of  the  hill  and  about  six  acres  of  the  level  ground  below  in 
an  extremely  wet  condition.  The  soil  is  a  sandy  loam  which  contains  a  few 
small  boulders  and  many  large,  flat  stones  thrown  into  various  positions  and 
weighing  from  20  to  sometimes  over  150  pounds  each.  Hand  digging  in  such 
ground  is  necessarily  slow,  for  ditches  have  to  be  dug  wide  at  the  bottom  to 
keep  from  caving  in,  and  many  large  stones  must  be  either  broken  up  or 
removed  with  crowbars.  There  are  several  of  these  side  hills  in  this  neighbor- 
hood, and  two  men  rarely  average  more  than  a  rod  and  a  half  a  day  in  digging 
ditches  on  such  ground. 

To  cut  the  water  off,  a  ditch  four  rods  long  was  blasted  out  with  dyna- 
mite, the  amount  used  being  evidently  more  than  would  have  been  necessary, 
for  it  not  only  opened  a  ditch  of  ample  width,  but  shattered  nearly  a  foot 
of  the   solid  ledge  of   rock  in  the  bottom.     The   cost   was   as    follows : 

Dynamite  and  caps  with  fuse $3.00 

1  man,  1  hour  with   dynamite 25 

1  man,  2  hours  cleaning  out  bottom  of   ditch 35 

Total $3.60  or  90c.  a  rod 

With  two  men  digging  one  and  a  half  rods  a  day  and  getting  each  $1.75 
a  day,  the  cost  per  rod  would  have  been  $2.33  or  over  two  and  a  half  times  more 
than  the  cost  of  digging  with  dynamite.  This  demonstration  convinces  me  that 
on  ordinary  ground,  especially  heavy  clay,  the  cost  of  digging  with  dynamite 
must  be  less  than  one-half  the  cost  of  hand  digging.  Furthermore,  the  work 
of  digging  with  dynamite  is  done  so  rapidly  that  the  advantage  thereof  can- 
not well  be  overlooked. 

Very  respectfully  yours,        LEO  M.  GEISMAR,  Supt. 


Underdrainage  Increases  Land  Value  $100.00  per  Acre 

Fayetteville,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  4,  1911. 

You  may  be  interested  in  learning  that  I  had  about  six  acres  of  worthless 
land,  which  was  mostly  bog  and  trash,  that  has  been  successfully  drained  with 
Red  Cross   Dynamite. 

This  land  was  always  covered  with  water,  due  undoubtedly  to  a  stratum  of 
shale  limestone  underneath,  but  by  drilling  down  through  this  limestone  from 
8  to  12  feet  deep  at  the  lowest  spots  in  the  swamp, 'I  not  only  succeeded  in 
draining  the  entire  six  acres,  but  since  then  it  has  been  planted  to  corn  and 
potatoes  and  now  to  alfalfa,  which  is  yielding  as  high  as  five  tons  per  acre. 

The  cost  of  this  draining  work  was  about  $100.00  including  cleaning  up  the 
brush,  etc.,  which  I  consider  most  economical.  In  fact,  I  could  not  have 
drained  this  bog  economically  excepting  by  the  use  of  dynamite. 

I  might  also  add  that  the  value  of  this  land  has  been  increased  from 
practically  nothing  to  $100.00  per  acre. 

Yours    very   truly, 

F.    E.   DAWLEY. 

42 


Tree  Planting  ?»!:  Orchard  Rejuvenation 
With  Red  Cross  Dynamite 


Fig.  35 
Planted  with  Dynamite 


_ii 


Fig.  36 
Planted  with  Spade 


Fig.  37 
Planted  with  Dynamite 


Fig.  38 
Planted  with  Spade 


One-Year-Old   Apple  Trees  (In  Ground  and   Dug   Out)  on  Farm  of  E.  G.  Sexton,  Canton,  Ga. 

43 


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44 


A  Revolution  in  Orcharding 

More  than  twenty  years  ago  orchardists  in  California  and  in  other 
states  where  hardpan  is  encountered,  blasted  tree-holes  with  dyna- 
mite to  save  the  labor  of  digging  them. 

This  practice  led  to  the  discovery  that  fruit  trees  set  in  dynamited 
holes  developed  much  more  rapidly  than  those  set  in  spaded  holes. 
They  lived  through  drouths  when  others  died.  They  came  into  bear- 
ing one  to  two  years  earlier  than  spade-set  trees.  They  produced 
more  and  better  fruit.  Today  the  leading  orchardists  and  nurserymen 
all  use  dynamite  both  for  planting  new  trees  and  cultivating  old  ones, 
in  all  except  loose,  sandy  soils. 

Dynamite  has  almost  entirely  eliminated  the  gambling  chances  of 
orcharding.  Even  the  frost-resisting  qualities  of  dynamite-set  trees  are 
greater  than  those  of  spade-set  trees. 

In  1911  millions  of  fruit  and  nut  trees  were  planted  with  dynamite. 

In  1912  the  number  will  probably  be  doubled  or  trebled. 

In  addition,  the  many  millions  of  fruit  and  nut  trees  spade-set  one 
to  twenty  years  ago,  may  be  forwarded  in  development  or  regenerated 
by  dynamite. 

Thus  we  are  passing  through  an  epoch  of  revolution  in  orchard- 
ing that  means  much  to  both  grower  and  public. 


Proved  Results  From  the  Use  of  Dynamite  : 

1.  More  Economical  Than  Any  Other  Method  Because — 

(a)  The  actual  cost  of  planting  is  little  if  any  greater  than 

with  spade. 

(b)  Dynamiting  almost  entirely  prevents  the  big  first  year 

loss  common  to  spade-set  trees. 

2.  More  Productive  Than  Any  Other  Method  Because — 

(a)  Dynamite-set   trees  bear  marketable   fruit  one   to   two 

years  sooner  than  spade-set  trees. 

(b)  The  quantity  of  fruit  is  greater  than  on  spade-set  trees. 

(c)  The  quality  and  color  of  fruit  is  better. 

The  Principles  of  Plant  Growth 

It  has  been  conclusively  proven  that  dynamite  is  an  exceedingly 
valuable  aid  in  the  successful  growing  of  trees.  ^  Those  who  have  tried 
it  are  thoroughly  convinced  that  no  method  of  excavating  the  hole 
in  which  to  plant  a  young  tree  is  so  economical,  quick,  or  productive 
of  desirable  after-results  as  blasting  with  dynamite.  We  use  the  word 
"economical"  in  the  sense  described  in  our  article  regarding  costs  on 
page  S3. 

45 


-^•3::!LiJ:-:Q::::Q:i-//: 


46 


Sometime  ago  it  was  the  prevailing  idea  that  dynamite  was  un- 
necessary for  tree  planting  unless  the  soil  chanced  to  be  underlaid 
with  hardpan,  in  which  case  the  explosive  was  regarded  as  valuable 
for  breaking  up  the  hard  soil.  It  has  been  found  by  experiment  how- 
ever, that  trees  thrive  better  when  planted  in  blasted  holes  than  in 
hand-dug  holes  if  there  is  underlying  hardpan,  or  clay,  clay  loam  or 
silty  loams  that  are  liable  to  become  hard  or  impervious. 

The  explanation  of  this  is  simple.  It  is  because  the  explosion  of 
the  dynamite  loosens  up  the  soil  for  yards  around  the  spot,  and  thus 
makes  root  growth  easy;  whereas,  digging  the  hole  with  tools  tends 
to  pack  the  earth  around  the  sides  and  at  the  bottom  of  the  hole  and 
retard  root  growth. 

Scientific  agriculturists  have  discovered  that  water  is  the  most  im- 
portant element  in  all  kinds  of  plant  growth.  It  forms  a  major 
portion  of  the  green  weight  of  the  roots,  trunk,  branches,  twigs,  leaves 
and  fruit  of  the  plant.  The  proportion  of  moisture  will,  of  course, 
vary  in  the  different  parts.  The  roots  will  be  found  to  contain  more 
moisture  than  the  trunk,  and  the  branches,  twigs  and  fruit  a  larger 
percentage  than  the  hard  wood  parts. 

Water  or  soil  moisture  is  the  carrier  of  the  tree's  plant  food.  It 
also  influences  the  temperature  of  the  plant.  In  dry  hot  weather  the 
evaporation  of  large  amounts  of  water  from  the  leaves  of  a  tree  has  a 
slightly  refrigerating  action.  It  requires  more  heat  units  to  raise  a 
given  weight  of  water  one  degree  in  temperature  than  it  requires  to 
cause  a  similar  increase  in  the  same  weight  of  wood  or  stone.  This  is 
effective  in  saving  trees  from  immediate  harm  due  to  quick  changes 
of  temperature.  Moisture  also  has  the  effect  of  maintaining  the  stiff- 
•ness  of  the  more  succulent  parts  of  the  plant.  A  good  illustration 
of  this  is  the  noticeable  withering  of  corn  and  other  plant  leaves  when 
the  supply  of  moisture  is  insufficient.  Lack  of  moisture  is  just  as 
effective  in  retarding  the  development  of  leaves  of  trees,  but  it  is  not 
so  noticeable.  Soil  w-hich  is  of  the  natural  consistency  to  allow  water 
to  circulate  freely  through  it  and  still  retain  or  conserve  it  so  that  it  is 
available  at  all  times  for  growing  plants,  may  be  considered  as  ideal 
for  agricultural  purposes.  Few  soils  possess  this  natural  consistency. 
Other  soils,  which  may  be  classified  as  good,  average,  or  fair,  must 
have  artificial  preparation  in  order  to  make  them  produce  the  results 
that  may  be  expected  from  the  rarely-found  perfect  natural  soil. 

Few  persons  understand  the  principle  of  plant  growth.  It  is  not 
necessary,  as  many  suppose,  that  the  root  of  a  plant  shall  come  in  actual 
contact  with  all  of  the  plant  food  elements  of  the  soil  needed  for  the 
sustenance  of  the  plant  or  tree.  Plant  roots  have  the  power  to  draw 
from  the  surrounding  soil  the  necessary  elements  of  plant  food,  pro- 
vided the  soil  is  of  such  a  character  as  to  permit  the  passage  of  these 
elements  through  it.  Water  or  moisture  is  the  carrier  of  these  plant- 
food  elements  through  the  soil  and  into  the  plant  roots.  This  will 
indicate  the  importance  of  a  porous  soil  which  will  permit  the  free 
passage  of  water  through  it  in  order  that  plants  growing  upon  the 
surface  may  be  properly  nurtured  for  rapid  and  healthy  growth. 

47 


FIG.  43 

Soil  section  showing  downward  growth  of  roots  to  21  feet,  and  percentages  of  various  plant 
foods  at  different  depths.  As  the  drawing  and  tables  were  obtained  from  different  sources,  the 
percentages  do  not  indicate  those  in  the  soil  in  the  drawing,  but  are  composite  percentages  from 
analyses  of  different  soils. 


AS 


This,  together  with  the  fact  that  the  action  of  an  explosive  on 
soil  causes  it  to  become  thoroughly  mellowed  and  aerated,  causes  trees 
planted  in  blasted  holes  to  show  much  stronger  and  healthier  growth 
than  trees  planted  under  old  conditions. 

In  order  to  give  those  who  may  not  understand  the  subject  an 
idea  of  the  scientific  principles  of  plant  growth,  w^e  will  quote  W.  J. 
Spillman,  Agriculturist  in  charge  of  Farm  Management  Investigations, 
Bureau  of  Plant  Industries,  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture.  He  says 
in  a  recent  bulletin : 

"Plant  food  is  dissolved  in  water.  While  a  plant  is  growing,  a 
constant  stream  of  water  flows  up  through  it  and  evaporates  at  its 
leaves.  For  every  pound  of  increase  in  dry  matter  made  by  the  plant, 
from  300  to  500  pounds  of  water  flow  up  through  it. 

"Plants  in  their  growth  make  use  of  thirteen  elements,  nine  of 
which  they  secure  directly  from  the  soil.  These  are  called  the  mineral 
plant  foods.  They  are  phosphorus,  potassium,  calcium,  magnesium, 
sodium,  iron,  silica,  chlorin  and  sulphur.  Soil  consists  mainly  of  small 
particles  of  rock.  Nearly  all  kinds  contain  more  or  less  of  these  min- 
eral plant  foods.  Every  year  the  soil  water  dissolves  off  a  thin  sur- 
face layer  from  each  particle  and  plants  appropriate  this  water,  thus 
securing  their  mineral  plant  food.  Hydrogen,  another  important  ele- 
ment of  plant  food,  is  also  secured  from  water. 

"In  order  to  produce  a  ton  of  hay  on  an  acre  of  land,  it  is  neces- 
sary that  the  growing  grass  pump  up  from  that  ground  approximately 
500  tons  of  water.  In  order  to  supply  this  enormous  quantity  of  water, 
the  soil  must  not  only  be  in  a  condition  to  absorb  and  hold  water  well, 
but  must  be  porous  enough  to  permit  water  to  flow  freely  through  it. 

"In  addition  to  acting  as  a  water  carrier  for  plant  life,  soil  must 
permit  a  proper  circulation  of  air  through  it.  Nearly  half  of  the 
volume  of  ordinary  soils  is  occupied  by  air  spaces.  Soil  which  becomes 
so  compact  as  to  .stop  the  air  passages,  is  too  wet  for  most  crops  and 
needs  drainage,  for  plant  roots  must  be  supplied  with  air  and  the  soil 
must  be  porous  enough  to  permit  of  its  free  circulation.  One  of  the 
most  important  objects  of  plowing  is  to  loosen  up  the  soil  atid  mix 
fresh  air  with  it." 

Orchardists  and  nurserymen  who  have  had  long  experience  in  plant- 
ing trees  in  holes  prepared  by  dynamite  blasts,  have  learned  that  com- 
pact subsoil  is  broken  up  by  the  blasts,  which  enable  the  land,  thus 
made  porous,  to  absorb  plenty  of  water  in  rainy  weather  and  store  it 
up  for  the  use  of  growing  plants  in  dry  weather.  As  Mr.  Spillman 
says,  this  water  in  ascending  to  the  plant  roots  carries  with  it  the 
many  necessary  soluble  fertilizing  elements. 

Few  persons  realize  the  depth  of  tree  root  expansion.  In  one  of 
the  "Farmers'  Bulletins"  issued  by  the  United  States  Department  of 
Agriculture,  a  cross  section  of  orchard  land  is  shown  which  we  repro- 
duce on  the  opposite  page.  Note  the  scale  on  the  sides,  indicating 
that  this  tree  has  sent  its  roots  downward  21  feet  into  the  soil.  This  is 
natural  growth.  Under  normal  conditions  a  healthy  tree  will  seek  its 
food  in  this  way;  but  suppose  a  layer  of  hardpan  or  compact  subsoil 
is  encountered  at  a  depth  of  two  to  six  feet?  The  roots  must  then 
spread  out  near  the  surface  for  twenty  feet  or  more.     The  result  of 


this  unnatural  sidewise  growth  is  that  each  tree  in  the  orchard  is  com- 
pelled to  go  over  into  the  feeding  supply  of  its  neighbor  and  conse- 
quently does  not  receive  the  necessary  amount  of  plant  food  to  prop- 
erly nurture  it  and  allow  of  its  healthy  growth.  Its  yield  of  fruit 
is  also  lessened  by  this  forced  encroaching  of  one  tree  on  the  feeding 
ground  of  its  neighbor.  Then,  too,  a  brief  dry  spell  exhausts  all  the 
moisture  from  the  thin  feeding  ground  of  the  tree,  stopping  its  growth 
or  killing  it.  From  this  it  is  not  to  be  assumed  that  natural  lateral 
growth  is  undesirable,  but  simply  means  that  hardpan  prevents  prac- 
tically all  downward  growth.  A  tree  growing  under  these  conditions 
is  also  quite  likely  to  be  blown  over  by  wind. 

Dynamite  blasting  proves  a  simple  and  effective  remedy  for  this 
condition.  The  blast  breaks  up  the  hard  soil  and  permits  the  roots  to 
take  their  natural  downward  course  into  the  lower  strata  in  which 
plenty  of  plant  food  elements  are  available.  Under  these  conditions, 
one  tree  is  not  interfered  with  by  another ;  each  one  receives  the  bene- 
fit of  all  of  the  soil  allotted  to  it  when  at  the  time  of  planting  the  sur- 
face was  measured  and  laid  out. 

It  must  not  be  assumed  that  dynamite  blasting  is  beneficial  only 
when  the  topsoil  is  underlaid  with  hardpan.  It  is  of  the  utmost  impor- 
tance to  assist  a  tree,  especially  a  young  one,  to  send  its  roots  out  into 
its  feeding  bed  as  easily  and  rapidly  as  possible.  The  more  porous 
and  mellow  the  soil,  provided  it  is  one  of  the  type  of  soils  liable  to  be 
found  in  compact  condition,  the  more  rapid  will  be  the  growth.  Even 
in  the  deep  loamy  soils  of  Oregon,  among  the  most  perfect  for  fruit 
tree  culture  found  in  the  United  States,  blasting  has  proven  extremely 
beneficial  in  forwarding  the  growth  of  young  fruit  trees,  as  is  shown  in 
the  letter  of  Orchardist  Rawley,  which  appears  on  page  63  of  this 
booklet. 

The  main  object  to  be  sought  in  tree  planting  is  to  so  prepare  the 
ground  that  the  growing  tree  can  absorb  the  largest  possible  percentage 
of  moisture  from  the  soil  which  it  occupies.  Loosening  and  aerating 
the  soil  permits  it  to  absorb  more  of  the  rainfall  and  store  it  against 
the  future  needs  of  the  tree.  A  Cornell  University  authority  advises 
that  a  tree  planted  in  soil  properly  prepared,  can  absorb  60  per  cent, 
of  the  moisture  contained  in  it. 

Professor  Fabian  Garcia,  of  the  New  Mexico  Agricultural  Experi- 
ment Station,  who  has  conducted  a  considerable  amount  of  experi- 
mental work,  much  of  which  was  in  an  intensely  practical  way,  makes 
the  following  statement: 

"The  hope  and  desire  of  every  orchardist  is  to  have  the  roots  of 
his  fruit  trees  grow  down  as  deeply  as  possible.  There  is  no  doubt  that 
the  deeper  the  roots  grow  the  better  it  is  for  the  trees,  and  the  longer 
lived  they  are." 

Dynamite  Method  is  Most  Economical 

'  Most  fruit  growers  who  have  tried  dynamite  for  tree  planting  are 
ready  to  admit  that  the  method  is  productive  of  good  results,  and  that 
the  work  can  be  done  more  quickly  than  by  old-fashioned  methods. 

Many  hesitate  to  adopt  it,  however,  because  they  reason  that  it  is 
more  costly.  There  are  some  features  of  this  question  of  cost  that 
deserve  serious  consideration.  Many  people  deceive  themselves  when 
they  attempt  to  figure  costs.  50 


Dynamite  Prevents  the  Big  First  Year  Loss 

According  to  those  who  have  used  dynamite  for  tree  planting,  the 
loss  from  death  of  trees  planted  in  that  way  is  considerably  lower  than 
when  trees  are  planted  in  spade-dug  holes. 

Mr.  J.  H.  Baird,  Superintendent  of  the  famous  Hale  Georgia 
Orchard,  of  Fort  Valley,  Ga.,  one  of  the  most  experienced  and  highly 
trained  orchardists  in  the  United  States,  says  that  Mr.  Hale's  loss  of 
trees  planted  with  dynamite  does  not  exceed  2  per  cent.,  whereas 
the  trees  planted  on  their  Georgia  properties  in  the  old-fashioned  way 
have  suffered  losses  of  around  50  per  cent. 

Dynamite  Saves  New  Settings,  Although  Ground  Had 
Never  Been  Plowed 

Parkersburg,  W.  Va.,  July  8,  1911. 

Gentlemen. — Our  first  experience  with  dynamite  in  orchard  work  was  during 
the  spring  of  1911.  The  season  in  this  locality  has  been  extremely  unfavorable  for 
starting  a  young  orchard.  The  soil  has  been  unusually  dry  ever  since  the  trees 
were  planted. 

As  we  considered  the  use  of  dynamite  in  the  orchard  work  in  the  nature  of  an 
experiment,  we  left  a  number  of  checks  for  comparison.  We  used  dynamite  for 
digging  holes  for  planting  of  apples,  pears,  quinces,  cherries  and  plums.  In  all 
these,  the  trees  were  planted  in  sod,  and  the  ground  was  not  broken  except  with 
dynamite.  In  other  portions  of  our  orchard  the  same  kinds  of  trees  were  planted 
in  ground  that  was  carefully  plowed  and  has  been  since  cultivated  several  times. 
There  is  no  decided  difference  in  the  trees  planted  by  the  two  methods.  Where 
the  trees  were  planted  in  sod,  however,  without  the  use  of  dynamite,  from  sixty 
to  seventy-five  per  cent,  are  dead.  Whereas,  where  the  dynamite  was  used,  the 
loss  will  not  exceed  two  or  three  per  cent.,  and  in  the  cases  where  the  loss 
occurs,  the  cause  is  foreign  to  natural  conditions. 

In  addition  to  the  large  fruits  above  mentioned,  we  have  just  recently  culti- 
vated a  vineyard  by  putting  in  small  shots  one-third  of  a  stick  each,  every  eight 
feet  in  the  row.  We  were  led  to  do  this  after  seeing  what  we  believe  to  be  decided 
benefits  in  its  use  for  planting  and  cultivating  apples  and  other  fruits. 

In  addition  to  this,  we  used  dynamite  for  cultivating,  in  a  limited  way,  an  old 
orchard.  The  trees  in  this  orchard  are  from  twenty  to  thirty  years  of  age.  Up  to 
the  present  season  the  orchard  has  been  badly  neglected.  We  used  one-third  of  a 
stick  directly  under  the  trunk  of  the  tree,  about  three  and  one-half  feet  deep.  The 
explosion  did  not  disrupt  the  surface  but  evidently  broke  up  the  subsoil  and 
destroyed  the  old  formation  which  bound  the  roots  of  the  trees.  This  was  used 
early  in  the  season  before  the  trees  were  in  bloom.  These  trees  at  this  time  show  a 
decided  advantage  over  trees  in  the  same  orchard  under  like  conditions,  which 
were  not  so  treated.  The  growth  has  been  at  least  twenty-Uve  per  cent,  greater, 
they  are  loaded  more  heavily  with  fruit  than  the  other  trees,  the  fruit  is  larger 
in  size,  and  the  leaves  and  general  appearance  of  the  trees  indicate  a  more  vigorous 
thrifty  condition.  We  consider  the  use  of  dynamite  in  the  cultivation  of  an  orchard, 
as  above  described,  one  of  the  most  beneficial  purposes  to  which  its  use  is  adapted. 

Our  experience,  up  to  this  time,  indicates  a  more  extensive  use  of  dynamite  in 
the  future.  Its  use  is  both  expeditious  and  economical.  Its  benefits  are  peculiarly 
apparent  in  a  dry  season  like  this.  By  its  use  the  roots  of  the  trees  are  permitted 
a  greater  penetration  than  would  be  possible  by  any  other  method,  thus  to  a  certain 
extent  making  the  tree  independent  of  surface  conditions. 

We  used,  approximately,  a  ton  of  dynamite  this  season,  without  the  slightest 
accident.  The  men  become  familiar  with  its  use  and  do  not  consider  the  labor 
hazardous. 

ROSEMAR  ORCHARD  COMPANY. 

51 


Dynamiting  Highly  Endorsed  by  Chief  Moore 
of  U.|S.  Weather  Bureau 


iiii 


Hr.  G.  P.  Hamlin, 

Manager,  Du  I'oiit  Pov7der  Company, 
Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  13th  Instant.  With 
regard  to  the  35  acres  1  have  just  planted  with  apple  and  peach 
trees,  using  dynamite  to  blow  the  holes,  permit  me  to  say  that 
I  found  that  I   could  use  the  dynamite  with  hut  little,  if  any 
more,  work  than  was  required  to  dig  the  holes  in  the  ordinary 
way.  I  used  a  force  oi  five  men:  one  to  cut  the  sticJcs  of 
dynamite »  attach  the  fuse,  and  put  on  the  caps;  two  to  drive 
holes  with  crowhers;  one  to  insert  charges  and  tamp  them;  and 
one  to  explode  the  cnarges.  This  force  worked  in  the  forenoon 
blowing  the  holes,  and  in  the  al'ternoon  they  started  v.'here 
they  began  in  the  morning  shaping  up  the  holes  and  planting 
the  trees.  They  put  up  from  six  to  seven  hundred  trees  each 
working  day.  As  a  test  1  shoveled  the  dirt  out  of  several 
holes,  and  found  the  earth' shattered  fine  and  permeable  to 
a  depth  of  four  or  five  feet  and  an  equal  dietance  in  a 
horizontal  direction.  I  am  of  the  opinion  that  the  trees 
set  in  these  holes  will  make  the  ordinary  five  years'  growth 
In  three,  other  conditions  being  equal. 

Another  year  I  intend  to  loosen  up  the  sub-soil  in  a 
field  in  which  I  shall  plant  corn,  for  the  purpose  of  making 
Q  comparison  with  an  adjacent  field  that  will  be  planted  with- 


-2- 


out  the  use  of  dynamite.  1  look  forward  to  valuable  results 
for  the  farmer  from  the  use  of  explosives. 
Very  truly  yours, 


Ly  yours,     n 


."^ 


From  this  it  is  apparent  that  in  considering  the  question  of  econ- 
omy we  must  go  beyond  first  costs.  Assuming  that  young  apple  trees, 
for  instance,  cost  20  cents  apiece,  and  that  1,000  are  planted.  If  2  per 
cent,  of  them  die,  the  loss  will  be  20  trees,  worth  $4.00.  If  50  per 
cent,  die,  the  loss  will  be  500  trees,  representing  a  money  loss  of 
$100.00,  which  the  dead  trees  cost.  To  plant  1,000  trees  with  dyna- 
mite would  cost  for  materials  from  $60.00  to  $65.00.  Leaving  labor 
out  of  the  calculation  altogether,  the  orchardist  saves  $96.00  worth  of 
trees  by  planting  with  dynamite.  Charging  the  $65.00  blasting  cost 
against  that,  still  leaves  him  $31.00  in  pocket  in  spite  of  the  outlay  for 
dynamite,  caps  and  fuse. 

Dynamite  Saves  Time  and  Labor 

But  that  is  not  the  only  saving.  It  seems  to  be  very  generally  ad- 
mitted by  those  who  have  used  dynamite  for  tree  planting  that  the  work 
can  be  done  much  faster  by  that  method  than  when  the  holes  are  pre- 
pared with  spades.  The  saving  in  labor  then  becomes  a  large  item.  If 
trees  are  planted  according  to  the  most  approved  horticultural  methods 
— that  is,  in  very  large  holes  dug  out  to  thoroughly  pulverize  the  soil  for 
from  two  or  three  feet  in  every  direction  from  the  trunk  of  the  tree, 
and  to  a  depth  of  at  least  two  feet — a  laborer  can  plant  a  tree  with 
dynamite  in  one-tenth  the  time  it  takes  to  plant  it  with  a  spade. 

One  Blaster  Replaces  Twenty-five  Tree  Planters 

The  following  is  quoted  from  a  trade  report  of  a  Du  Pont  Sales- 
man: 

"  When  I  called  on  this  party  (Dr.  J.  T.  Kelley,  of  Quicksburg,  Va.)  he  had  about  2$  men 
out  digging  holes  and  had  never  thought  of  using  dynamite,  although  he  had  heard  of  it.  After 
talking  to  him  a  few  minutes  I  asked  him  if  he  would  take  the  time  to  go  over  in  the  field  and 
let  me  show  him  how  it  was  done.  I  had  the  necessary  explosives  with  me.  He  gave  me  the 
time  and  I  got  him  to  thinking.  He  asked  me  to  stav  all  night  and  give  him  a  chance  to  think 
it  over.  So  I  stayed  and  talked  over  the  whole  thing  with  him  that  night,  and  before  we 
retired  he  asked  me  if  I  would  go  with  him  up  the  country  early  in  the  morning  to  where  he 
had  his  men  digging  and  show  them  all  about  it.  He  said  if  he  decided  to  blow  the  holes  he 
wanted  the  men  to  understand  all  about  it,  and  that  they  would  understand  better  if  they  saw 
it.  By  7.15  we  were  at  the  farm  and  found  25  men  working.  He  called  them  all  to  quit  work 
and  come  and  see  how  we  could  blow  holes.  I  could  not  look  the  men  in  the  face,  for  I  felt  it 
meant  their  jobs,  and  after  I  had  shot  a  hole  or  two,  I  heard  one  fellow  say,  *  That  fellow  is 
going  to  cut  us  out  of  our  job.'.  Sequel:  In  one  hour  they  had  all  been  paid  off  for  a  half 
day's  time  and  sent  away." 

Dynamited  Trees  Bear  Earlier 

There  is  also  another  feature  that  must  be  considered  in  connection 
with  the  question  of  economy — that  is,  the  claim  of  experienced  or- 
chardists  that  trees  come  into  bearing  from  one  to  two  years  earlier 
when  planted  in  dynamited  holes. 

Gained  Two  Years  by  Planting  with  Dynamite 

Gentlemen: — It  may  be  a  surprise  to  vou  to  learn  that  I  have  been  using  dynamite  for 
planting  trees  for  a  number  of  years,  and  have  some  shade  trees  planted  in  that  way  eighteen 
or  twenty  years  ago.  They  are  the  finest  trees  I  have  ever  seen  grow  for  their  age.  In  the 
planting  of  peach  trees  I  gained  two  years  in  six;  in  other  words,  I  got  as  much  fruit  from  a 
tree  planted  with  dynamite  at  four  years  old  as  we  usually  get  at  six  years  old. 

I  not  only  plant  them  with  it,  but  where  a  tree  is  failing  and  seems  to  be  on  the  decline 
I  start  it  off  to  growing  again  by  firing  charges  from  three  to  ten  feet  apart. 

Nothing  seems  to  tickle  the  earth  so  much  as  planting  watermelons  after  explosion  of  dyna- 
mite from  three  to  four  feet  under  ground.  I  plant  them  twenty  feet  apart  each  way.  Fertilize 
heavily  and  the  vines  bear  right  on  until  frost,  the  entire  summer. 

W.  W.  STEVENS,  Orchardist,  Mayfield,  Ga, 

53 


Dynamite-set 


FIG.  44 


Spade-set 


Spade-set  Dynamite-set 

FIG.  45 

Pecan  trees  planted  Jan.,  1906,  on  land  of  F.  W.  McMurrain,  Columbus,  Ga. 


54 


It  is  not  contended  that  this  more  rapid  growth  is  due  to  the  fact 
that  dynamite  is  a  fertilizer,  but  because  the  blasting  makes  the  soil 
thoroughly  porous  and  mellow,  and  gives  the  tree  roots  an  opportu- 
nity to  expand  easily;  also  because  the  increased  moisture-storage 
capacity  of  the  shattered  soil  forwards  the  development  of  the  tree. 
Therefore,  the  value  of  one  or  two  years'  crops  must  be  added  to  the 
cost  of  the  original  tree  planting  in  spade-dug  holes,  or  deducted  from 
the  cost  of  preparing  the  holes  with  dynamite.  This  would  more  than 
counterbalance  the  one  to  three  cents  per  tree  planting  cost,  which  close 
calculating  orchardists  regard  as  the  difference  between  planting  in  the 
old-fashioned  way  and  planting  with  dynamite. 

Horticultural  experts  state  that  the  average  tree  cannot  thrive  when 
it  is  planted  in  a  little  spade-dug  hole  about  the  size  of  a  large  flower  pot. 

The  proper  way  to  plant  a  tree  with  a  spade  is  described  in  a  paper 
on  tree  culture  read  by  a  horticulturist  at  the  meeting  of  the  Kansas 
State  Horticultural  Society,  held  in  Topeka,  Kansas,  in  December, 
1909.    The  following  are  extracts  from  the  paper : 

"The  soil  should  be  stirred  as  deep  as  it  well  can  be,  the  deeper 
the  better.  In  digging  your  tree  holes,  forget  that  you  are  going  to 
plant  a  tree,  and  imagine  you  are  going  to  bury  the  largest  horse  on 
the  place,  and  dig  accordingly.  Remember  it  is  the  last  chance  you 
will  have  to  loosen  up  that  soil,  so  do  a  good  job.  Plant  your  trees 
deep,  getting  the  roots  down  where  it  never  gets  dry." 

One  of  the  largest  and  most  successful  nurseries  in  the  country 
is  that  of  the  William  H.  Moon  Company,  of  Morrisville,  Pa.  In 
their  book,  entitled,  "How  to  Plant  a  Tree,"  they  say:  "Holes  must 
be  made  so  large  that  the  roots  may  spread  out  naturally  without 
cramping."  That  means  for  one  and  two-year-old  nursery  stock  a 
hole  at  least  18  to  24  inches  across  and  nearly  as  deep.  When  an  in- 
experienced fruit  grower  claims  to  be  able  to  plant  a  tree  for  three 
or  four  cents  per  hole,  of  cou-rse  he  tells  the  truth.  He  can;  but  he 
can't  plant  it  right  for  that  cost.  He  can  also  build  a  house  for  $9.00, 
but  do  you  want  that  kind  of  a  house? 

To  dig  a  hole  as  large  as  these  experts  advise,  with  ordinary  tools, 
would  require  much  time  and  labor.  Half  a  cartridge  of  dynamite  will 
loosen  up  the  ground,  and  make  it  porous  in  an  instant. 


Expert  Advice  From  a  Professor  of  Horticulture 
Deep  Rooted  Trees  Resist  Drouth  and  Frost 

"  I  believe  it  is  of  fundamental  importance  to  plant  trees  in  soil  loose  and  open  enough, 
and  well  enough  drained  so  the  roots  can  go  down  deep.  For  example,  the  peach  trees  in  the 
deep  loam  where  they  root  deep  blossom  as  early  in  spring  as  do  shallow  rooted  peach  trees  in 
adjacent  clay  soil.  Those  in  the  deep,  mellow  loam,  however,  will  endure  more  cold  and  will 
set  full  crops  much  more  frequently  than  do  these  same  varieties  over  a  hard  clay  subsoil. 
The  trees  mature  better,  apparently  store  up  more  sugars  and  other  materials  in  their  buds  for 
winter,  and  do  not  have  their  fruit  buds  killed  at  the  same  temperature  as  do  trees  on  hard 
clay  subsoil.  We  have  taken  twigs  in  full  bloom,  surrounded  them  with  a  freezing  chamber  so 
as  to  find  out  at  just  what  temperature  the  bloom  would  be  killed.  Those  growing  in  the  deep 
well-drained  soil  will  sometimes  endure  as  low  as  26  degrees,  or  6  degrees  below  freezing,  with- 
out the  flowers  being  killed  when  in  full  bloom.  Similar  trees  grown  where  they  did  not  root 
down  well,  would  not  endure  drought  of  summer  in  as  good  health,  due  to  the  packed  subsoil, 
and  often  have  their  flowers  killed  at  28  to  29  degrees  or  about  3  degrees  below  the  freezing 
point  of  water."  J.  C.  WRITTEN. 

Professor  of  Horticulture,  University  of  Missouri,  Columbia,  Mo. 


55 


Dynamited  New  Trees  Successfully  Survived  Drouth 

New  Albany,  Ind.,  June  29,  1911. 

Gentlemen: — I  used  dynamite  in  planting  my  orchard  of  more  than  four 
thousand  trees.  I  used  one-third  of  a  stick  of  40%  dynamite  for  each  tree.  I 
drilled  a  hole  for  each  tree  about  two  feet  deep,  tamped  the  dynamite  tightly,  and 
exploded  each  charge  with  fuse  and  blasting  cap.  The  explosion  loosened  the  soil 
within  a  radius  of  about  four  feet  to  a  depth  of  about  thirty-six  inches. 

With  my  long  experience  of  planting  trees,  I  find  the  use  of  dynamite 
the^  most  successful  method.  The  loosened  soil'  acts  as  a  reservoir  to  hold 
moisture.  I  planted  my  orchard  in  the  spring  and  find  that  my  loss  of  dead 
trees  will  not  exceed  5%,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  we  have  had  a  six 
weeks'  drouth,  this  low  percentage  being  due  to  the  loosened  soil  holding  mois- 
ture. Under  no  circumstances  would  I  think  of  planting  an  orchard  without 
the  use  of  dynamite.  I  recommend  it  as  the  cheapest,  quickest,  most  success- 
ful and  most  satisfactory  method. 

NEWTON  A.  GREENE.  Mayor.  City  of  New  Albany.  Ind. 


Famous  Orchardist  Uses  Dynamiite  in  Planting  and 
Renovating  Peach  Orchards 

E.  I.  Du  Pont  De  Nemours  Powder  Co.,  Wilmington.  Del.      Feb.  22.  1911. 

Gentlemen: — I  am  just  back  from  a  two  weeks'  stay  in  our  Georgia 
Orchards. 

While  I  was  there  we  continued  further  blasting  for  the  replanting  of 
about  3,000  trees  where  they  had  failed  in  one  of  our  older  orchards.  I  also 
looked  over  carefully  the  two  little  blocks  of  trees  we  planted  with  dyna- 
mite last  season  and  the  results  are  even  better  than  I  had  been  led  to  believe 
when  I  left  there  the  middle  of  July.  In  the  meantime  I  am  becoming  further 
interested  in  the  matter  and  in  the  recommendations  for  renovating  some  of 
the^  old  apple  orchards  in  New  England  and  want  my  clients  to  try  dyna- 
miting a  portion  of  the  land  around  these  trees,  especially  when  they  are  in  par- 
ticularly strong  heavy  soil.  Yours,  J.  H.  HALE. 

NOTE. — Mr.  Hale  is  the  owner  of  several  of  the  largest  commercial  orchards 

in  the  United  States. 

Mr.  Hale  wrote  us  as  follows,  December  18,  1911: 

Our  experiments  with  the  use  of  dynamite  in  planting  peach  trees  in  our 
Georgia  orchard  in  1909,  and  continued  on  a  larger  scale  the  next  two  years, 
are  giving  us  such  promising  results  that  I  am  inclined  to  go  a  little  further 
into  the  matter  in  planting  eight  or  ten  thousand  trees  down  there  this  winter, 
and  possibly  in  planting  quite  a  large  lot  of  peach  and  apple  here  in  Con- 
necticut the  coming  spring,  and  so  am  writing  now  to  know  what  special  prices 
you  can  make  us  on  the  dynamite,  caps,  fuse,  etc.,  delivered  at  Fort  Valley, 
Georgia,  as  early  in  the  month  of  January  as  possible.  J.  H.  HALE. 


Explanatory  Note 

Several  orchardists  who  have  read  our  booklet  have  asked  why  it  is  that 
we  recommend  our  Red  Cross  20%  Dynamite  for  tree  planting  and  orchard 
rejuvenation,  when  many  of  the  orchardists  who  have  given  us  testimonials, 
which  are  published  in  the  booklet,  speak  of  having  used  40%  grade. 

It  is  because  the  20%  grade  has  not  been  generally  carried  in  stock  by  deal- 
ers throughout  the  country  up  to  a  very  few  months  ago.  The  40%  grade  has 
been  more  conveniently  obtainable  and  hence  more  generally  used.  Of  course, 
the  40%  strength  gives  very  satisfactory  results  in  tree  planting,  but  as  our  ex- 
periments have  convinced  us  that  the  20%  grade  is  fully  as  good  and,  under  most 
conditions,  a  little  better  and  is  cheaper  than  the  40%  grade,  we  recommend  it. 

56 


Dynamite  Method  is  More  Productive 
Results    of    Blasting    on    Rose    Cliff    Fruit    Farm 

Dynamite  Kills  Fungus  Diseases  Makes  Trees  Grow  Twice  as  Fast 

Having  learned  that  Mr.  James  Craig,  President  of  the  Rose  Cliff 
Fruit  Farm  of  Waynesboro,  Va.,  had  been  using  dynamite  in  the  tree 
planting  and  regeneration  work  in  his  extensive  orchards  for  several 
years,  we  sent  an  investigator  to  obtain  his  views.  The  following  is 
a  report  of  the  interview : 

Mr.  Craig  is  a  very  progressive  fruit  grower.  He  is  one  of  the 
first  among  Eastern  orchardists  to  employ  orchard  heaters ;  as  a  result 
of  this  enterprise  the  fruit  on  his  trees  was  saved  in  the  spring  of 
1911,  when  a  heavy  frost  killed  all  other  fruit  in  the  neighborhood. 
Mr.  Craig  has  also  used  dynamite  for  killing  fungus  diseases  in  the 
ground  under  and  around  old  trees  which  have  died  of  fungus  diseases. 
As  a  result,  he  has  been  able  to  use  the  ground  for  replanting,  some- 
thing which  has  been  considered  inadvisable  previously. 

Our  representative  obtained  a  number  of  photographs  of  trees  on 
Mr.  Craig's  property,  some  of  which  we  reproduce  in  this  booklet. 

Figure  40  shows  a  six-year-old  apple  tree  planted  in  ground  pre- 
pared by  exploding  a  half  cartridge  of  40%  strength  Dynamite  at  a 
depth  of  eighteen  inches. 

Figure  39  shows  a  view  of  another  tree  planted  in  the  same  month 
of  the  same  year  by  the  ordinary  method  of  digging  a  hole  with  spade 
and  pick.  By  comparing  the  height  of  this  tree  with  the  man  holding 
an  eight  foot  rod  in  his  hand,  also  shown  in  each  picture,  the  difference 
in  the  size  of  the  trees  can  easily  be  seen. 

Figure  47  shows  a  nine-year-old  tree  planted  in  ground  prepared 
by  blasting  a  half  cartridge  of  40%  strength  Dynamite  at  a  depth  of 
eighteen  inches.  Figure  46  shows  a  nine-year-old  tree  planted  in  a 
spade-dug  hole.    The  two  trees  just  referred  to  are  not  200  feet  apart. 

The  soils  in  both  plots  shown  are  practically  identical ;  the  trees  in 
these  orchards  are  both  of  the  same  species  of  apple;  but,  as  will  be 
noted  from  the  photographs,' the  trees  planted  with  dynamite  show  very 
good  growth,  whereas  the  trees  which  were  not  planted  with  dynamite 
show  up  poorly. 

In  February  of  1911  Mr.  Craig  did  some  blasting  in  his  orchard, 
midway  between  his  trees,  with  a  view  of  loosening  up  the  soil.  He 
used  in  each  hole  one-half  cartridge  of  40%  Red  Cross  Extra  Dyna- 
mite, exploded  at  a  depth  of  eighteen  inches.  One  of  the  objects  of 
this  blasting  was  to  break  up  some  shale,  underlying  a  great  many  of 
the  trees  and  preventing  the  deep  growth  of  the  roots.  To  see  what 
results  these  blasts  accomplished,  some  of  the  soil  was  afterwards  dug 
out  with  shovels.  It  was  discovered  that  the  ground  had  been  broken 
up  at  a  radius  of  from  six  and  one-half  to  eight  and  one-half  feet 
from  the  point  of  the  blast,  thus  giving  the  tree  roots  an  opportunity 
for  deeper  and  more  healthy  expansion. 

57 


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IS 


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cd  U  aj 

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58 


A  Controversy  Settled 

Mr.  James  Craig,  President,  Wilmington,  Del.,  February,  6,  1912. 

Rose  Cliff  Fruit  Farm,  Waynesboro,  Va. 
Dear  Mr.  Craig : 

File  A-3718:   ROSE  CUFF  FRUIT  FARM. 

Referring  to  the  cuts  used  in  our  Tree  Planting  Booklet  (copy  of  which  1 
enclose),  showing  the  comparison  in  growth  between  trees  planted  with  spade  and 
with  dynamite  in  your  orchard : 

These  pictures  have  been  criticised  by  orchardists  to  some  extent,  as  being 
an  unfair  comparison  because  the  dynamited  tree  is  in  cultivated  ground  and  the 
spaded  tree  is  in  ground  not  so  well  cared  for. 

I  understand  some  people  who  have  visited  your  orchard  have  also  said 
that  the  smaller  tree  had  not  received  the  same  attention  in  spraying,  pruning, 
etc.,  as  the  larger  tree. 

Will  you  be  kind  enough  to  advise  me  whether  there  is  any  truth  in  these 
statements,  and  whether  you  think  the  pictures  we  are  using  are  an  unfair  com- 
parison or  not. 

I  enclose  a  stamped  envelope  for  reply,  and  would  greatly  appreciate  your 
attention  to  this  matter.  Very  truly  yours, 

GEORGE  FRANK  LORD, 

Manager  Agricultural  Division. 

Mr.  George  Frank  Lord,  Waynesboro,  Va.,  February  9,  1912. 

Wilmington,  Del. 
Dear  Sir: 

Your  favor  of  February  6th  received.  In  regard  to  the  two  trees  that  you 
make  a  comparison  of,  beg  to  say  that  there  is  probably  some  slight  difference 
in  the  culture  and  care  of  these  two  trees,  yet  the  care  that  the  small  tree  has 
had  should  have  developed  as  large  a  tree  as  the  other  one,  as  it  has  been  sprayed 
well,  has  been  cultivated  and  has  also  had  two  coats  of  barnyard  manure  while 
the  other  one  has  not  had  any  barnyard  manure  at  all,  yet  it  has  good  culture  and 
has  been  well  sprayed.  I  think  if  the  other  tree  had  been  set  in  a  dynamite  hole 
it  would  have  shown  practically  the  same  growth.  I  am  sure  the  ground  will 
grow  as  fine  a  tree  as  the  one  shown  in  the  picture.  Of  course  it  can  be 
criticised  and  it  is  right  hard  to  make  a  comparison  of  any  two  trees  without 
showing  some  difference  in  the  care. 

I  do  not  doubt  that  dynamiting  the  ground  planted  to  trees  is  of  the  great- 
est advantage  possible.  The  American  Apple  Company,  of  which  I  am  Vice- 
President,  set  the  past  May  500  "Delicious"  trees  on  a  sloping  hillside  and 
without  any  special  care  given  them  except  dynamiting  (as  it  was  so  late  in  the 
season  we  could  not  get  the  ground  prepared  as  well  as  we  would  have  liked), 
yet  these  trees  have  made  a  very  fine  growth,  as  fine  as  any  we  have  set,  and  we 
only  lost  about  three  trees  in  the  5(X),  yet  we  had  a  drought  that  was  unprece- 
dented in  this  part  of  the  country.  This  satisfies  me  conclusively  that  the  blow- 
ing of  these  holes  offered  a  loose  pliable  ground  for  many  feet  around  which 
retained  the  moisture  and  in  this  way  the  trees  did  not  suffer,  but  made  an 
immense  growth  which  can  be  seen  by  any  one  visiting  us.    Yours  very  truly, 

ROSE  CLIFF  FRUIT  FARM.  Inc., 

James  Craig,  President. 

Dynamite  Used  in  Largest  Peach  Orchard  in  U.  S. 

Superintendent  J.  H.  Baird,  of  the  famous  Hale  Georgia  Orchard,  of 
Fort  Valley,  Georgia,  writes  under  date  of  May  20th,  1911: 

"The  trees  planted  this  season  with  dynamite  are  growing  beautifully  and 
we  have  not  lost  any  through  drouth,  while  those  planted  without  dynamite  have 
died  out  badly  and  show  poor  growth." 

On  June  17,  1911,  Mr.  Baird  again  writes: 

"Vegetation  is  burning  up  here  for  lack  of  rain,  but  the  young  trees  have 
lived  beautifully;  do  not  think  we  have  lost  over  2%  of  those  planted  with 
dynamite,  while  of  the  others  planted  in  the  old  fashioned  way  we  have  lost 
from  50%  up." 

59 


Fig.  48.— Planted  with  Ked  Cross 
Dynamite 


r"iG.  49. — Planted  with  Spade 


Fig.  50. — Planted  with  Red  Cross 
Dynamite 


Fig.  51. — Planted  with  Spade 


Two- Year-Old  Apple  Trees  (In  Ground  and  Dug  Out)  on  Farm  of  E.  G.  Sexton,  Canton,  Ga. 


60 


Found   That   Dynamite    Kills    Fungus 

August  10,  1911. 
Gentlemen: 

A  few  years  ago  I  experimented  in  planting  trees  with  dynamite.  It  was 
a  decided  success.  My  neighbors  observed  the  results  and  now  many  of  them 
are  talking  of  using  this  method  hereafter.     My  observations  were  as  follows: 

1st.  Made  new  land  out  of  old.  It  made  a  drainage  for  stagnant  waters  and 
provision  for  carrying  moisture  down  in  the  wet  season  and  up  in  the  dry 
season  by  breaking  up  and  pulverizing  the  soil  and  establishing  a  capillary 
attraction  between  moisture  beneath  and  air  above. 

2nd.  In  resetting  an  old  orchard  of  diseased  or  dead  trees,  it  is  regarded 
as  fatal  to  reset,  without  digging  the  hole  and  letting  it  stand  for  a  year  or  two. 
If  the  old  tree  is  blown  out  with  dynamite  and  the  ground  left  for  a  few  hours  with 
fumes  imbedded,  it  will  kill  all  fungus,  bacteria,  grubs,  and  animal  parasites.  The 
tree  thus  treated  will  grow  and  do  as  well  as  on  virgin  soil. 

3rd.  The  tree  will  have  more  vigor  and  vitality,  will  grow  faster,  bear 
earlier,  and  be  more  productive  and  longer  lived. 

4th.  The  combined  cost  of  blowing  hole  and  planting  tree  is  but  a  trifle 
more  than  digging  hole  and  planting  tree  the  old  way. 

Very  truly  yours, 

J.  A.  TEAGARDEN,  Auburn,  Cai. 


Kills  Fungus 

Arbor  Hill  Nurseries,  Sales  Grounds  at  Summit  Station, 

Brown  WOOD,  Tex.,  Nov.  4,  1911. 
One  experiment  I  made  while  at  Arlington,  Texas,  in  application  of  dyna- 
mite will  no  doubt  be  of  interest  to  you. 

In  spring  of  1910  I  planted  a  number  of  cherry  trees  upon  a  plot  of  land 
that  was  infested  in  spots  by  rot  fungus;  and  I  happened  to  plant  one  of 
these  cherry  trees  in  one  of  those  spots;  said  tree  was  dead  by  the  first  of  June, 
1910,  with  roots  rotted. 

Last  winter  I  placed  a  stick  of  dynamite  about  30  inches  deep  in  the 
same  identical  spot,  exploded  it  and  immediately  planted  another  cherry  tree, 
which  grew  well  during  all  the  past  summer  and  fall  without  showing  any 
indication  of  root  rot. 

I  believe  the  organism  of  root  rot  disease  is  delicate  enough  that  a  shock 
occasioned  by  explosion  of  dynamite  will  destroy  it  within  considerable  distance 
of  centre  of  explosion. 

Very  truly  yours, 

CHAS.  F.  WARD. 


Two  Men  and  Dynamite  One  Day  Better  Than  Three  Men 
One  Week  Without  Dynamite 

A.  F.  Bornot  Bro.  Co.,  17th  Street  and  Fairmount  Avenue, 

Philadelphia,  Pa.,  April  26,  1911. 
Dear  Sirs: 

Your  Mr.  Fulmer  was  here  Monday  and  together  we  made  about  one  hun- 
dred holes  which  has  enabled  my  gardener  to  plant  one  hundred  peach  trees 
the  following  day.  Three  men  could  not  have  done  the  same  amount  of  work 
in  a  week.  The  ground  is  now  very  loose;  I  am  more  than  pleased  and  would 
not  plant  another  tree  on  my  place  without  explosives. 

Very    respectfully, 

A.  F.  BORNOT  BRO.  CO.  L. 

61 


Fig.  52 

Id  Apple 

Spaded  Hole 


Fig.  S3 

Two- Year-Old  Apple  Tree  Set  in 

Dynamited  Hole 


Fig, 
Bing  Cherry  Tree, 


54 

Two  Years  Old, 
Set  in  Spaded  Hole 


Fig.   55 

Bing  Cherry  Tree,  Two  Years  Old,  Set  in 

Dynamited  Hole 


62 


Dynamite    Tree    Planting    Shows    Fine    Results 
In    Five    Feet    Oregon    Loam 

Grants  Pass,  Oregon,  May  12,  191 1. 

Gentlemen: — I  am  sending  you  photographs  of  four  trees. 

Figs.  52  and  53  are  Bellflower  apple  trees;  Fig.  52  was  set  in  a  spade-dug  hole,  and  Fig.  53 
in  a  dynamited  hole. 

Figs.  54  and  55  arc  Bing  cherry  trees;  Fig.  54  was  set  in  a  spade-dug  hole,  and  Fig.  55 
in  a  dynamited  hole. 

These  four  trees  were  part  of  a  shipment  of  year  old  nursery  stock  received  and  set  out 
the  latter  part  of  March,  1909.  The  photographs  were  taken  about  the  15th  of  April,  1911, 
two  years  after  setting  out,  just  as  they  were  coming  into  leaf. 

Bellflower  apple  tree  (Fig.  53)  was  pinched  back  in  June,  1909,  about  ten  weeks  after  plant- 
ing. It  was  shortened  in  by  removing  some  two  feet  of  growth  from  each  main  lateral  the 
following  November.  In  19 10  it  had  the  same  treatment.  It  is  a  very  vigorous  tree  with 
healthy  foliage  and  fine  color. 

Bellflower  apple  tree  (Fig.  52)  had  as  good  ground  to  grow  in,  but  was  spade-set  and  made 
such  small  growth  it  needed  neither  pinching  back  nor  pruning.  Not  a  bit  of  growth,  not  a  leaf 
has  been  removed  from  the  head  of  this  tree  since  planting.  The  trunk  is  less  than  half  inch 
in  diameter,  while  the  dynamite-set  mate  to  it  has  several  branches  thicker  and  finer  than  the 
trunk  of  Fig.  52. 

The  Bing  cherry  trees  (Figs.  54  and  55)  have  the  same  identical  history  as  Bellflower 
apples  (Figs.  52  and  53)  with  the  exception  that  we  did  not  shorten  in  at  fall  pruning  (Fig.  55) 
as  much  as  we  did  apple  No.  53. 

We  have  heavier  tops  and  taller  trees  of  these  varieties  in  the  orchard,  but  these  trees  are 
two  favorites,  very  typical  of  their  kind  and  strike  a  favorable  average  for  the  lot  of  five 
hundred.     From  250  apple  trees  so  set  we  got  a  perfect  stand,  not  one  died. 

We  use  dynamite  for  making  holes  in  planting  trees  on  our  very  best  and  deepest  ground, 
as  well  as  the  poor  spots.  It  is  much  cheaper  than  hand  labor,  it  is  much  quicker  when  speed 
is  a  most  important  point  and  delay  will  cause  the  loss  of  many  trees.  It  insures  every  ad- 
vantage to  the  tree  getting  a  good  start.  ^ 

After  the  orchard  is  staked,  one  man  with  a  shovel  removes  a  circle  of  surfacft  soil  from 
about  the  stake,  usually  five  cuts  or  so,  which  is  laid  to  one  side  to  use  in  filling  the  hole  to 
proper  level  before  setting  the  tree  with  the  roots  carefully  pruned  back. 

A  second  man  follows  the  first  with  a  crowbar  and  works  the  hole  down  where  the  stake 
comes  out.  If  a  stone  or  anything  of  the  sort  is  encountered  we  dig  it  out.  If  a  spot  of  hard 
sediment  or  hardpan  is  encountered  the  hole  is  put  through.  These  holes  are  about  eighteen 
inches  deep.  We  use  one  stick  of  dynamite  properly  fitted  with  18  inches  of  best  fuse  for  the 
average  hole.  It  is  dropped  to  the  bottom  of  the  hole  and  tamped  down,  then  the  fuse  is 
lighted.  There  is  very  little  stuff  thrown  up,  the  force  going  downward  and  outward.  The 
holes  are  allowed  to  stand  probably  over  night,  or  part  of  the  next  day,  are  probed  with  a 
crowbar,  and,  if  satisfactory,  the  sides  are  broken  in,  the  top  earth  at  one  side  filled  in,  and 
the  hole  is  ready  for  the  tree. 

We  have  set  all  our  trees  in  wet  weather,  which  insures  a  storage  of  moisture  under  the 
tree.  If  one  were  compelled  to  set  in  dry  earth,  a  generous  supply  of  water  should  be  added 
to  settle  the  hole  prior  to  throwing  on  top  earth  that  makes  the  bed  for  the  tree  to  set  on.  Twice 
each  spring  a  circle  should  be  worked  up  to  a  fine  mulch  about  the  depth  of  a  spading  fork, 
and  kept  loose,  unbaked  and  free  of  weeds. 

Last  November  we  had  occasion  to  remove  some  filler  trees.  Grimes  Golden  apples,  seven 
months  after  setting  out,  one  of  which  was  spade-set.  They  were  taken  up  with  the  greatest 
care  so  we  could  get  the  roots  out  intact  just  to  prove  to  ourselves  what  difference  in  root 
growth  we  would  find  in  same  variety,  in  perfectly  matched  trees  on  the  same  ground  from  the 
two  methods  of  setting. 

The  spade-set  tree  had  a  fine  bushy  and  vigorous  tassel  of  roots  about  a  foot  long.  The 
dynamite-set  tree  had  two  roots  going  down  some  three  feet.  I  held  it  out  at  arm's  length,  my 
hand  clasped  around  the  graft  scar,  and  the  roots  touched  the  earth.  Also  it  had  a  great 
quantity  of  medium  and  short  growth  roots.  The  difference  was  so  convincing  that  we  now 
have  thirty  acres  of  new  orchard  and  every  tree  is  set  with  dynamite. 

You  will  probably  be  amused  at  my  zeal,  but  I  used  half  sticks  of  dynamite  in  making  up 
a  rose  bed,  and  also  for  a  hardy  border  set  with  peonies  and  other  perennials.  Am  happy  to 
say  the  peony  plants  are  now  ready  to  bloom  profusely  their  first  season,  although,  hitherto, 
I  have  failed  to  bloom  them  before  the  second  or  third  year. 

We  wouldn't  undertake  to  clear  ground  or  set  new  trees,  shade  or  orchard,  'without  using 
dynamite,  notwithstanding  our  soil  is  a  beautiful  loam,  with  little  stone  in  it,  and  runs  from 
five  to  six  feet  deep.  MRS.  JOHN  RAWLEY. 

63 


Prominent  Nurserymen  Describe  Successful  Methods 

Harrison  Brothers,  with  nurseries  at  Berlin,  Maryland,  have  4,000 
acres,  which  contain  more  than  200,000  trees,  and  they  are  among 
the  leading  nurserymen  of  the  East.  They  have  prepared  a  very 
complete  book  entitled  "How  to  Grow  and  Market  Fruit,"  retailing 
at  50c.  a  copy,  containing  valuable  information. 

They  say,  ''What  is  stated  here  is  the  most  practical  kind  of 
hard-won  knowledge,  for  it  outlines  'how  we  do  it'  in  fruit-culture." 

From  the  chapter  on  "Methods  of  Keeping  Moisture": 

"Subsoiling  with  dynamite  is  a  thoroughly  practical  method,  and  should  be 
employed  on  three-fourths  of  the  farms  of  the  East. 

"By  far  the  best  way  to  loosen  subsoil  is  with  dynamite.  This  is  not  gen- 
erally known,  but  orchardists  will  find  they  can  reduce  tillage  expenses  greatly 
and  save  much  time  with  it.  The  exploding  of  from  a  sixth  to  a  half  pound 
of  the  right  kind,  two  or  three  feet  under  the  surface,  loosens  and  makes  fine 
all  the  soil.    Young  trees  will  make  great  strides  if  they  are  so  planted. 

"The  dynamiting  can  be  done  in  orchards  or  about  trees  of  any  age.  If 
done  rightly,  it  will  accomplish  the  work  without  breaking  or  tearing  away  any 
roots,  leaving  the  soil  in  condition  to  give  the  roots  twice  the  feeding-ground 
they  had  before  and  providing  perfect  drainage  and  water-storing  capacity.  The 
use  of  dynamite  is  the  secret  of  success  in  growing  fruit  by  mulching  systems 
without  so  much  plow  and  harrow  tillage." 

From  the  chapter  on  "Cultivation" : 

"It  is  necessary  to  break  up  the  subsoil,  whether  there  is  hardpan  or  not. 
The  dynarnite  method  usually  is  the  cheapest  at  any  time,  and  it  is  the  only 
way  by  which  the  work  can  be  done  thoroughly  after  trees  have  been  planted. 

"Dynamite  is  the  thing  with  which  to  dig  holes  for  new  trees,  to  break  up 
the  whole  soil  three  or  four  fe^t  deep  every  few  years,  and  to  help  renovate 
old  orchards,  because  it  will  do  these  things  more  cheaply  and  better  than  they 
can  be  done  by  any  other  means.  If  you  have  fruit  trees,  which  seem  to  be 
standing  still  and  which  do  not  bear,  no  matter  how  big  they  are,  properly 
explode  a  charge  in  the  soil  around  or  between  them,  and  the  trees  will  likely 
get  to  work.  In  a  bearing  orchard,  a  proper  charge  midway  between  trees  is 
always  safe  and  is  generally  very  effective." 

From  the  chapter  on  "When  Trees  Will  Not  Bear": 
"  Explode  three  or  four  charges  of  dynamite  a  few  feet  away  from  each  tree. 
Mulch  the  surface  with  a  thick  covering  of  vegetable  matter,  or  by  keeping  a 
couple  inches  of  dust  under  the  tree.    Feed  with  commercial  fertihzer." 

From  the  chapter  on  "Grapes" : 

"Vines  are  heavy  feeders.  Their  roots  extend  far  out  and  make  a  net- 
work in  the  soil.  The  proper  distance  to  plant  will  be  from  six  to  eight  feet 
apart,  although  sometimes  this  can  be  changed  to  advantage.  Strong  varieties, 
on  fertile  soil,  need  more  room  than  small  growers  on  poor  soil.  Before  plant- 
ing is  done,  the  ground  should  be  worked  even  more  thoroughly  and  deeply 
than  for  a  tree.  Remember  that  you  are  planting  something  which  will  last 
a  generation,  not  a  crop  to  be  removed  in  a  season  or  two.  Plow  the  land, 
use  dynamite  to  dig  the  holes,  and  have  a  clearance  inside  the  hole  of  at  least 
twenty  inches." 

Trees  Planted  With  Red  Cross  Grow  50%  Better 

Niagara  River  Nurseries  and  Fruit  Farm. 

YouNGSTOWN,  N.  Y.,  November  27,  191 1. 
The  trees  planted  April  23,   19 10,   with  dynamite  did  so  nicely  that  during  the  spring  of 

1 911  we  planted  several  hundred  trees  in  holes  dug  with  dynamite  and  in  every  case  the  trees 
so  planted  ^rew  and  made  one-half  more  growth  than  trees  planted  in  the  usual  way. 

We  think  so  well  of  the  process  that  we  shall  plant  all  of  our  trees  during  the  spring  of 

1912  with  dynamite. 

On  our  soil,  which  is  a  very  hard  hardpan,  we  can  dig  the  holes  for  one-half  the  cost  of 
digging  with  spade.  We  now  feel  confident  that  the  shattering  of  the  soil  is  a  great  advantage. 
Last  season  was  the  dryest  ever  known  in  this  section  and  yet  our  trees  where  holes  were  dug 
by  dynamite  kept  green  and  grew  right  along.  I  think  we  will  get  a  better  and  deeper  root 
system. 

We  used  only  one-third  of  a  stick  for  peach  trees  and  that  gave  us  a  fine  hole  2  feet  deep 
and  a  good  breadth.  We  stake  our  ground  out,  drive  a  hole  where  the  stake  stood,  insert  the 
charge  and  the  work  is  done  in  an  instant.  One  man  can  keep  a  fair  gang  busy  following  up 
and  putting  in  the  trees.  HENRY  LUTTS. 

64 


General  Advice  on  Tree  Planting 

Setting  Trees  with  Dynamite  to  Conserve  Moisture 

ARTHUR  E.  COLE,  Prop.,  High  Point  Farm  and  Nursery,  Chamblee,  Ga. 

Over  a  large  portion  of  our  country  is  a  hardpan  of  shale  or 
tight  clay  near  the  surface.  It  is  a  menace  to  the  productiveness 
of  trees  and  all  vegetables  which  root  deeply.  The  scientific  principle 
involved  is  the  inability  of  such  a  subsoil  to  absorb,  retain  and  give 
back  to  growing  crops  the  essential  moisture.  On  such  land  the 
water  soaking  through  a  thin  topsoil  fails  to  penetrate  and  finds  a 
second  drainage  on  this  subsurface,  draining  off  in  *'Wet  Weather 
Springs"  or  standing  in  surface  suspense  as  "Bogs."  Land  in  this 
physical  condition  fails  of  an  agricultural  dividend.  Put  in  proper 
physical  condition  this  same  land  becomes ,  highly  profitable.  The 
way  to  proceed  is  by  using  dynamite.  Probably  no  process  of  plow- 
ing known  to  agriculture  can  produce  the  good  results  in  breaking 
up  a  tight  subsoil  that  does  this  blasting  with  Du  Pont  Dynamite. 

Planters  of  clover  and  alfalfa  realize  this.  Orchardists  have 
come  to  accept  it  as  final.  Strawberries  and  all  crops  requiring  a 
great  amount  of  moisture  respond  to  its  use  in  a  way  almost  unbe- 
lievable. Short  lived  crops  like  tomatoes  and  cucumbers  will  con- 
tinue to  bear  through  the  long  season  where  the  hills  are  shot  with 
cartridges  of  dynamite.  Figs  produce  a  crop  the  first  year  after 
being  set  where  dynamited.  The  writer  can  see  this  from  his  back 
door  as  he  writes.  This  new-found  process  is  the  foundation  of  a 
new  era  in  agriculture  and  horticulture. 

At  the  present  time  many  thousands  of  trees  are  being  set  in 
young  orchards  all  over  the  United  States.  Such  a  boom  in  apple 
and  pecan  planting  was  never  before  known.  It  is  a  logical  answer 
to  an  unsupplied  demand.  The  question  is,  will  these  orchards 
endure — will  they  pay  ? 

In  orchard  setting,  the  use  of  dynamite  is  advised  in  practically  all 
soils.  The  pecan  naturally  flourishes  on  the  deep,  moist,  alluvial 
soil  of  river  and  creek  bottoms.  Nature  has  put  it  where  it  will  not 
suffer  from  drought  in  the  long,  hot,  dry  summer  and  autumn  through 
which  it  must  hold  and  mature  its  late  fruit.  We  can  move  it  to  our 
grove  or  back  yard  and  succeed  with  it  by  dynamiting  the  ground. 

Watermelons  and  peaches  should  be  dynamited  because  they  re- 
quire great  moisture,  being  fruits  composed  largely  of  water,  but  of 
all  fruits  demanding  an  unfailing  and  continuous  supply  of  moisture 
the  apple  and  pecan  lead.  Therefore,  it  is  imperative  that  we  dyna- 
mite as  an  artificial  means  of  conserving  the  moisture.  Unlike  all 
other  fruit,  the  apple  grows  on  the  end  of  a  twig  of  new  wood,  a 
twig  which  bears  no  more.  The  apple  being  a  biennial,  sets  its 
fruit  bud  for  next  year  during  July  and  August  of  this  year.  So 
we  see  this  hard  condition  imposed :  a  winter  apple  must  make  its  new 
growth  of  wood,  hold  its  foliage,  mature  its  present  crop  of  fruit, 
and,  if  it  is  to  produce  again  next  year,  the  little  tender  twig  bearing 
an  apple  must  mature  a  new  fruit  spur  or  twig  alongside  of  it  to 
bring  forth  a  healthy  fruit  bud  next  year.  And  all  this  during  a 
long,  hot  summer  or  autumn.  The  demand  for  moisture  is  enor- 
mous. 

65 


What  if  the  tree  is  shallow  set?  What  if  the  roots  trail  along 
close  to  the  dry  surface?  What  if  the  tree  is  on  a  dry  ridge  or  hill- 
side baked  by  the  summer  sun?  What  if  on  thin  land,  starved  for 
both  fertility  and  moisture?  The  answer  may  be  total  failure  o^ 
partial  failure  and  short  lived  trees,  or  a  partial  crop,  or  a  crop  only 
every  other  year,  or  a  large  per  cent,  of  drops,  or  defoliated  trees. 
READER!  Observe  and  mark  well.  Your  orchard  dividend  and  its 
future  success  is  in  balance  when  you  set  your  orchard.  Remember 
you  can  never  set  it  over  the  second  time.  No  amount  of  regrets 
can  retrieve  a  mistake  made  in  the  setting.  You  will  spend  much 
money  bringing  your  orchard  to  a  high  standard  by  the  allotted  time 
for  it  to  begin  to  bear,  but  no  amount  of  money  expended  in  after  years 
can  correct  a  mistake  at  planting  time.  You  may  have  in  mind  plow- 
ing out  a  deep  furrow  for  your  row,  but  remember  that  that  furrow 
can  never  be  plowed  again,  and  the  root  system  will  be  influenced 
to  confine  its  growth  to  the  small  amount  of  pulverized  soil.  Holes 
may  be  dug,  broad  and  deep,  but  like  a  large  plant  in  a  small  pot, 
the  hard  walls  of  the  hole  when  filled  with  roots  will  cramp  or  turn 
back  or  callous.    Either  of  these  methods  will  be  found  wanting. 

The  new  and  eminently  successful  mode  of  land  preparation  for 
all  fruit  or  ornamental  trees  and  for  many  field  or  garden  crops, 
especially  in  tight,  dry  soils,  is  by  blasting  holes  with  half  cartridge 
of  Red  Cross  Extra  Dynamite  or  blasting  the  furrow  with  a  like 
amount  at  intervals  of  15  to  20  feet.  If  in  a  large  orchard  or  a 
large  field,  a  blasting  machine  may  be  used  to  detonate  the  charges. 
If  only  a  few  trees  are  to  be  set,  the  blasting  should  be  done  with 
fuse  and  blasting  caps.  Let  the  depth  of  the  holes  for  setting  your 
cartridges  be  governed  by  the  state  of  the  soil.  Make  a  hole  with 
auger,  sharpened  wood  dibber,  or  crowbar  well  down  into  the  sub- 
soil. Tamp  well  with  moist  clay.  For  the  best  results,  throw  out  a 
bushel  or  more  of  the  clay  that  has  been  broken  by  the  shot  and  fill 
with  some  organic  matter  that  will  slowly  decompose  as  the  years  go 
by,  mixing  and  cutting  in  well  with  a  sharp  shovel  or  spade.  Leaf 
mold,  woods  topsoil,  fence  corner  settlings,  old  bones,  scrapings  from 
under  an  old  house  or  outhouse  or  any  such  matter  is  good.  Now 
the  roots  can  go  down  and  out  in  an  area  broken  and  pulverized 
for  many  feet  on  all  sides.  The  tree  will  make  a  rapid  and  healthy 
growth  and  come  to  bearing  earlier  and  live  many  years  longer. 
It  will  produce  fruit  annually,  more  fruit,  larger  fruit  and  fruit 
of  better  color  because  of  the  conserved  moisture.  It  will  resist 
drouth.  The  much  talked  of  "insect  resisting  tree"  is  a  tree  healthy  and 
vigorous  enough  to  overcome  their  baneful  attack. 

»  The  writer  set  an  apple  orchard  last  winter,  using  Red  Cross 
Dynamite,  in  an  area  where  woolly  aphis  is  known  to  abound;  but 
not  a  single  evidence  of  their  presence  has  been  noted. 

The  winter,  spring  and  summer  just  past  is  one  of  the  dryest 
on  record  for  Georgia.  Many  trees,  in  fact  a  large  per  cent,  of 
trees,  set  by  the  ordinary  method  have  died.  But  in  three  orchards 
set  by  the  writer  with  dynamite,  100%  are  living  and  doing  well. 
As  a  neighboring  nursery  man  expressed  it,  "These  trees  didn't  know 
it  had  not  rained." 

66 


Wanted  Proofs  and  Got  Them 

A  subscriber  to  the  "Rural  New  Yorker"  wrote  the  editor  of  the 
paper  the  following  letter : 

Dynamiting  for  Planting  Fruit  Tre«s 

What  information  can  you  give  as  to  the  use  of  dynamite  for  planting  fruit  trees?  I  expect 
to  set  out  quite  a  few  this  Spring,  and  am  wondering  if  it  would  be  the  thing  to  use  on  my  land, 
which  has  a  shallow  topsoil,  about  i8  inches  of  gravelly  subsoil,  underneath  which  is  a  very 
hard,  clay  hardpan.  The  dynamite  makers  claim  great  things  for  their  product.  I  would  like  to 
hear  what  others  have  to  say  who  have  used  it. 

Connecticut.  J.  W.  M. 

R.  N.  Y. — We  want  actual  experience  about  this  if  we  can  get  it. 

In  an  issue  of  the  Rural  New  Yorker,  published  two  weeks  later,  the  following  letters  from 
subscribers  were  published  in  answer  to  J.  W.  M.'s  inquiry: 

Dynamiting  in  Tree  Planting 

In  answer  to  J.  W.  M.,  page  126,  in  a  block  of  seven-year-old  apple  trees,  about  a  dozen 
failed  to  make  a  good  growth,  and  one  of  them  died  when  four  years  old.  Replanting,  the  tree 
failed  to  live  throup:h  tne  Summer.  The  soil  is  Hagerstown  shale  loam,  and  we  found  the  shale 
very  near  the  suriace  in  this  place.  Before  planting  the  third  time  we  used  about  one-third 
stick  of  dynamite  (say  three  ounces),  making  the  hole  with  a  bar  and  putting  the  charge  about 
two  feet  under  surface.  The  result  was  a  mass  of  fine  shale  of  about  a  cubic  yard  in  extent. 
The  tree  was  planted  and  grew  and  made  a  good  growth,  although  the  season  was  very  dry. 
J.  W.  M.  would  have  to  get  well  into  that  hardpan  with  his  dynamite  and  use  more  of  it,  say 
one-half  pound.  I  think  the  cost  would  be  justified  in  the  better  drainage  secured,  as  unbroken 
hardpan  within  two  feet  of  the  surface  would  hardly  be  an  ideal  condition  for  an  apple  orchard. 

Pennsylvania.  A.  T.  B. 

I  planted  150  trees  with  dynamite  with  the  best  success;  they  make  a  much  quicker  growth. 
They  will  grow  in  two  vears  as  much  as  the  old  way  will  in  three  years.  If  the  soil  is  very 
hard  digging,  it  will  be  found  much  cheaper. 

Massachusetts.  C.  M.  O. 

J.  W.  M.,  Connecticut,  wants  actual  experience  in  dynamiting  holes  for  fruit  trees.  1 
tried  that  last  Spring  for  over  100  peach  trees  in  heavy  clay  subsoil  on  land  that  would 
raise  scarcely  more  than  20  bushels  of  corn  to  the  acre.  I  used  an  iron  rock  drill  and 
drilled  down  about  three  feet,  and  used  one-third  stick  40  per  cent,  dynamite.  The  dynamite 
fuse  and  caps  cost  about  four  cents  per  tree,  which  I  think  is  a  very  cheap  way  of  digging 
the  holes,  as  all  I  did  after  I  shot  the  holes  was  to  shovel  out  a  few  shovelfuls  and  set  the 
tree.  As  last  season  was  very  dry  with  us  the  trees  made  good  growth;  they  were  headed 
back  to  about  18  inches  from  the  ground  and  about  five-eighths  inch  in  diameter  when  set, 
and  now  they  will  average  seven  feet  tall  and  most  of  them  will  average  two  inches  in 
diameter,  and  some  larger  than  that-  This  ground  was  in  corn  the  season  before,  and  the 
patch  was  set  in  straw  and  tended  up  to  September.  One  of  my  neighbors  set  peach  trees 
last  Spring  in  the  spade-dug  system  and  those  trees  made  very  little  growth.  We  have 
a  man  near  New  Albany.  Ind.,  who  runs  a  commercial  orchard  system;  he  has  been  trying 
it  12  years  and  I  heard  him  say  he  would  set  no  trees  without  dynamiting,  thinking  it  paid 
largely.  From  what  experience  I  have  had  and  seen  from  others  I  would  certainly  try  dyna- 
mite, for  it  certainly  tears  up  the  subsoil  and  gives  those  roots  a  chance  to  go  down  to  moisture, 
and  dry  as  the  season  was,  I  never  lost  a  single  tree  out  of  104,  which  I  think  is  very  good. 

R.  F.  T.  BORDEN. 

In  the  Spring  of  191 1  I  set  52  apple  trees  in  filling  in  an  old  orchard  where  the  trees 
had  died.  First  tried  one-fourth  pound,  but  found  that  too  heavy  a  charge  as  it  made 
too  large  a  hole;  tiien  used  one-sixth  pound  charge.  First  I  bored  in  about  12  to  15  inches, 
pushed  the  stick  clear  to  the  bottom,  tamped  it  well  and  let  it  go.  We  could  set  a  tree  in 
the  hole  easily  in  five  minutes,  one  holding  the  tree  and  treading  in  the  dirt  as  the  other 
shoveled.  Not  having  enough  dynamite,  two  holes  were  dug  with  shovel.  Result,  one  of 
those  trees  died  and  only  one  of  those  set  in  holes  that  were  dynamited.  The  soil  is  a 
sandy  loam  underlaid  by  sand  rock  about  three  feet  below  the  surface.  All  trees  were 
heavily  mulched  with  straw  early  in  the  season  before  the  drought  began.  Some  of  the 
trees  made  a  new  growth  of  more  than  two  feet  on  each  limb,  while  the  tree  set  in  the  dug 
hole  made  a  growth  of  three  to  six  inches.  An  observation  of  the  trees  is  proof  conclusive 
that  it  paid  to  use  the  dynamite.     The  trees  set  were  two  years  old. 

Ohio.  .  H. 

We  are  using  dynamite  here  for  setting  grape  roots,  and  it  is  a  good  thing  for  clay  or 
hardpan;  do  not  think  that  it  would  do  any  good  in  mellow  or  gravel  soil.  It  would  be  neces- 
sary to  get  the  dynamite  down  in  the  clay  and  to  tamp  the  ground  down  hard  around  the 
dynamite  before  firing  the  fuse;  the  explosion  then  would  loosen  the  ground  in  all  directions, 
and  would  enable  the  root  system  to  extend  more  quickly. 

Hammondsport,  N.  Y.  _  ,     .,  J-  ^* 

Last  Spring  in  preparing  for  planting  fruit  trees  I  decided  to  use  dvnamite,  which  was 
so  entirely  successful  I  shall  give  you  my  method.  For  making  the  holes  1  used  a  heavy  iron 
bar,  sinking  it  from  20  to  24  inches,  using  one-quarter  stick  dynamite,  pulverized,  then  after 
placing  cap  and  fuse  tamped  wet  earth  into  hole.  This  would  loosen  the  ground  four  or  five 
feet  deep  and  about  four  feet  on  each  side,  in  ordinary  freestone  soil  with  heavy  yellow  clay 
subsoil.  My  trees  made  larger  growth  last  year,  where  other  trees  in  the  neighborhood  which 
were  dug  in  made  very  small  growth  or  died  from  the  dry  weather.  Care  should  be  taken 
to  pack  soil  well  around  trees  when  put  in.  Cost  of  material  for  shooting  holes  was  five  cents 
each,  not  including  labor. 

Seebert,  W.  Va.  W.  M.  I. 

Du  Pont  Editor's  Note. — Neither  the  inquirer  nor  endorsers  were  known  to  us. 

67 


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68 


The  Proper  Way  to  Set  a  Tree 

Some  Advice  on  Tree  Planting  From  the  Booklet  of  a 
Prominent  Nurseryman 

A.  Good  fertile  topsoil  must  be  used  about  the  roots.  If  the  tree 
is  to  be  planted  in  impoverished  ground,  good  soil  should  be  pro- 
vided for  it. 

B.  Plant  a  tree  just  as  deeply  as  it  stood  in  the  nursery  row. 
This  depth  is  very  easily  determined  by  the  dirt  line  always  shown  at 
the  bottom  of  the  trunk.  Failure  to  plant  in  accordance  with  this 
rule  probably  results  in  the  loss  of  more  trees  than  any  other  cause. 

C.  Before  planting  cut  off  all  the  broken  or  bruised  parts  of 
roots. 

D.  Be  sure  to  press  earth  firmly  about  the  roots,  especially  about 
the  crown,  so  that  every  particle  of  the  roots  will  be  embedded  in 
compacted  soil. 

E.  A  tamping  stick  may  be  used  to  work  the  soil  firmly  about 
the  roots.  With  small  trees  and  plants  the  dirt  will  settle  firmly,  if 
the  plant  is  gently  lifted  up  and  down,  when  the  hole  is  half  filled, 
so  that  the  dirt  will  work  its  way  between  the  roots.  Just  before 
filling  in  all  the  dirt  press  it  firmly.  Be  sure  that  the  dirt  is  well 
compacted,  excepting  three  or  four  inches  at  the  top  of  the  hole, 
which  should  be  loosened  by  occasional  cultivation. 

F.  If  buds  have  begun  to  swell  at  time  of  planting  or  if  the 
ground  is  dry,  watering  when  the  hole  has  been  three-quarters  filled 
will  not  only  moisten  the  roots,  but  help  settle  the  soil  firmly  about 
them.  Should  drought  ensue  afterwards,  occasional  watering  will  be 
necessary  until  the  tree  becomes  established;  watering  is,  however, 
frequently  overdone  and  death  from  this  cause  occurs  to  trees  and 
plants  almost  as  frequently  as  from  neglect  to  water. 

G.  Trim  broken  or  bruised  branches,  also  two-thirds  of  the  previous 
year's  growth;  because  the  roots  in  their  disturbed  condition  cannot 
at  the  outset  nourish  as  large  a  top  growth  as  before  they  were  dis- 
turbed by  moving. 

H.  It  is  often  best  not  to  trim  the  leader  or  central  stem,  as  a 
forked  tree  may  result.  Hardwood  trees,  like  the  oak  and  beech 
especially,  should  not  have  their  central  leader  trimmed. 

I.  If  the  tree  is  large  or  in  an  especially  exposed  place  where 
winds  may  loosen  it,  support  it  with  wires  and  provide  some  pro- 
tection where  the  wires  come  in  contact  with  the  tree  trunk.  A  piece 
of  burlap  with  a  few  sticks  are  useful  to  prevent  the  wires  chafing 
the  tree  where  they  come  in  contact  with  it. 

J.  After  planting,  it  is  better  to  leave  a  cultivated  area  about  the 
tree  than  to  sod  close  to  it.  This  cultivated  area  should  be  from 
three  to  five  feet  in  diameter. 

K.  Fertilizer,  in  the  form  of  stable  manure  or  compost,  may  be 
used,  but  should  not  come  in  direct  contact  with  the  roots.  A  mulch 
applied  after  the  planting  is  usually  the  best  way  to  supply  this 
fertilizer,  as  it  then  also  acts  to  conserve  the  moisture. 

69 


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70 


Unprejudiced  Advice 


Blasting  California  Hardpan  for  Trees 

Sacramento,  Cal.,  Jan.  21. 
Editor  Western  Empire: — I  have  been  reading  several  articles  on  plowing  with  dynamite, 
also  the  breaking  up  of  hardpan  by  the  same  means,  and  would  like  your  advice  on  the  subject. 
I  have  ten  acres  underlaid  with  hardpan  at  a  depth  ranging  from  eighteen  inches  to  four  teet, 
which  is  from  one  to  nine  inches  in  thickness.  I  am  desirous  of  planting  fruit  trees  and  would 
like  to  break  up  the  hardpan  for  each  tree,  but  find  that  the  cost  of  using  powder,  and  labor 
involved,  is  a  little  beyond  my  means.  I  have  seen  practical  tests  made  and  examined  the 
ground  after  blasting,  and  fina  it  would  take  considerable  dynamite  to  break  the  hardpan  in 
Its  thickest  part,  also  it  is  impossible  to  tell  whether  the  hardpan  is  broke  thoroughly  or  not 
when  covered  with  two  or  three  feet  of  soil.  I  wish  to  know  if  I  get  as  good  results  by  boring 
holes  with  an  ordinary  hand-power  well-drilling  rig.  By  boring  a  six  to  twelve-inch  hole,  five 
or  six  feet  deep,  it  seems  to  me  it  would  give  as  good  results,  and  be  more  certain  of  breaking 
through  the  hardpan  than  dynamite.  I  have  helped  to  drill  several  wells,  and  know  it  would 
only  take  two  men  a  short  time  to  go  a  few  feet  deep.  If  you  will  please  advise  me  in  the  matter 
by  letter,  or  in  an  early  issue  of  the  Western  Empire,  I  shall  be  very  much  obliged  to  you. 

•■  Yours  truly, 

T.  N. 
(The  editor  replied  as  follows:) 

The  writer  has  done  a  very  considerable  amount  of  blasting  for  trees  and  vines,  and  from 
results  fully  recognizes  the  value  of  a  judicious  use  of  dvnamite  for  breaking  hardpan. 

We  would  not  plant  any  hardpan  land  to  trees  without  blasting  every  tree  hole.  The 
expense  of  this  is  not  to  be  considered  in  comparison  with  the  benefits  that  will  come  from 
good  tree  growths  and  profitable  bearing  orchards,  as  a  result  of  breaking  the  hardpan,  to 
give  the  trees  deep  root  systems. 

We  think  your  proposition  to  drill  well  holes  through  the  hardpan  is  hardly  feasible.  In 
practice,  it  will  cost  to  drill  the  holes,  then  fill  them  with  earth,  then  dig  the  tree  holes, 
as  much,  or  nearly  so,  as  the  cost  of  blasting.  And  after  such  well  holes  are  drilled,  the  main 
object  of  having  the  largest  area  of  ground  prepared  properly  for  the  planting  is  not 
accomplished.  Even  if  this  drilling  could  be  done  at  much  less  cost,  we  would  not  resort 
to  it,  for  results  in  the  life  of  the  orchard  would  be  a  perpetual  tax  on  the  mistaken  economy. 

This  is  what  we  do: 

First  lay  out  the  orchard,  having  whitewashed  pegs  where  the  trees  are  to  stand.  Then, 
instead  of  usinsr  the  ordinarv  tree  planting  boards,  make  one  at  least  ten  feet  long,  out  of  a 
one  by  four,  boring  inch  holes  in  the  ends  and  midway  between  them  making  a  notch. 

In  using  this  implement,  place  this  notch  over  the  tree  peg,  and  set  two  pegs  through  the 
end  holes  and  withdraw  the  tree  peg.  After  the  holes  are  dug  the  board  is  placed  over  the 
end  pegs,  and  the  notches  in  the  board  indicate  the  exact  position  where  the  tree  snould  be  placed. 

Now  dig  an  ample  tree  hole  to  the  hardpan,  and  drill  into  it  according  to  its  thickness. 
From  your  description  of  the  hardpan  this  will  be  an  easy  matter. 

Much  judgment  is  to  be  exercised  in  determining  the  kind  of  powder  to  use  and  the  amount. 
The  object  to  be  obtained  is  a  thorough  breaking  and  cracking  of  the  hardpan,  and  the  wider 
the  area  of  this  action  the  more  effective.  Hence  a  slower  action  of  the  charge  is  often  better 
than  a  more  violent  explosion.  Good  judgment  and  some  experience  will  soon  enable  one  to 
determine  the  depth  of  the  drill  holes,  and  the  amounts  of  the  powder  to  use. 

I>ynamite  is  made  of  different  strengths  and  longer  or  shorter  sticks  can  be  used.  Where 
the  hardpan  is  a  thin  layer,  and  more  or  less  seamed,  it  may  be  better  to  dig  a  small  hole  to  the 
hardnan  for  the  drilling  rather  than  the  larger  hole  as  suggested. 

Where  hardpan  is  five  or  six  feet  deep,  or  where  the  subsoil  is  of  a  close,  tenacious  nature, 
it  is  a  wise  practice  to  make  a  deep  hole  with  a  bar  or  small  earth  auger  at  the  point  where  the 
tree  peg  was  removed,  and  explode  a  charge  heavy  enough  to  thoroughly  shatter  the  subsoil. 

California  Hardpan  Conquered 

DiNUBA,  Cal.,  October  7,  1911. 
The  trees  planted  last  spring,  for  which  the  land  had  been  dynamited,  are 
doing  exceptionally  well,  in  fact,  much  better  than  I  expected.  The  demonstra- 
tion you  gave  convinced  me  that  the  value  of  Du  Pont  explosives  cannot  be 
overestimated.  My  land  had  a  heavy  stratum  of  hardpan  at  an  average  depth 
of  one  and  one-half  feet,  and  under  this  hardpan  was  a  very  good  subirrigated 
subsoil.  After  blasting  the  holes  and  planting  the  trees  this  spring  they  have 
not  had  one  drop  of  water,  either  through  irrigation  or  rainfall,  and  now  they 
are  in  very  fine  condition.  Z.  M.  DICKEY,  Manager. 

Lemon  Grove  Improved 

Corona,  Cal.,  October  14,  1911. 

I  am  working  upon  the  strip  of  orchard  which  was  shot  last  fall  and 
I  find  a  marked  improvement  in  the  appearance  of  the  lemon  trees. 

It  is  my  intention  to  continue  this  work  of  blasting  until  I  have  treated  all 
portions  of  our  orchard  where  the  conditions  of  the  trees  indicate  the  existence 
of  a  hard  formation  under  them.        W.  C.  McCULLY,  Mgr.  El  Cerrito  Rancho. 

71 


Success  With  California  Hardpan 

ARLINGTON  HEIGHTS  FRUIT  COMPANY. 

Riverside,  Cal.,  December  16,  1911. 
Gentlemen : 

Some  ten  years  ago  we  began  shooting  in  our  orchards  where  hardpan 
conditions  existed.  You  will  appreciate  that  in  most  districts  in  California  the 
hardpan  exists  to  a  greater  or  less  extent.  With  us  it  is  not  found  to  any  great 
extent,  but  rather  in  deposits  here  and  there.  Where  found,  whether  near  the 
surface  or  deeper  down,  it  is  ai  great  detriment  to  the  proper  and  rapid  devel- 
opment of  the  trees,  and  their  profitable  production  when  grown. 

For  this  reason  we  determined  upon  shattering  the  hardpan,  and  at  first 
it  was  an  expensive  matter,  for  we  used  the  dynamite  and  then,  in  order  to  make 
a  very  thorough  job,  blew  the  hole  afterwards  with  from  one-half  to  a  full  keg 
of  black  powder.  At  times  we  shattered  the  ground  for  a  radius  of  from  ten 
to  twelve  feet  and  blew  the  soil  and  hardpan  out  of  the  imrnediate  vicinity  of 
the  charge.  The  hole,  thus  made,  we  filled  with  manure,  using  a  considerable 
quantity.  We  were  satisfied  very  soon  after  the  first  work  was  done  some  ten 
years  ago  that  whatever  the  cost,  it  was  well  worth  the  doing. 

We  have  continued  doing  this  work  and  at  all  times  have  been  well  repaid 
for  the  expense.  Our  success  here  with  this  work  led  us  to  shoot  the  ground 
where  hardpan  conditions  showed  up  when  planting  the  orchard,  and  our  suc- 
cess with  that  has  led  us  to  shoot  the  soil  wherever  it  could  not  be  easily  pene- 
trated by  the  root  system  of  the  young  trees. 

Fifteen  cents  spent  in  this  way  in  heavy  soil,  prior  to  planting  of  a  young 
orchard  and  a  larger  sum  used  wherever  hardpan  conditions  exist,  will  many 
times  over  repay  the  cost  whether  in  an  old  grove  or  in  the  planting  of  a  young 
grove. 

In  an  old  grove  it  opens  the  soil  and  permits  the  water  to  go  in  in  larger 
quantities,  much  larger  quantities.  It  makes  the  root  system  of  the  trees  pene- 
trate to  greater  distances  from  the  trees  and  to  greater  depths.  In  the  young 
orchards  it  gives  greater  field  for  the  young  trees  to  spread  out  their  feelers. 
The  water  will  penetrate  and  distribute  itself  much  more  freely  and  much  more 
effectively  and  in  much  greater  quantities. 

I  do  not  hesitate  in  advising  always,  everywhere,  to  examine  the  subsoil 
conditions  in  any  area  about  to  be  planted,  in  order  to  determine  what  condi- 
tions are  to  be  met  and  how  to  meet  them.  As  a  general  thing,  hardpan  is  not 
a  detriment,  it  is  easily  shattered  and  the  conditions  easily  controlled  under  our 
present  methods  of  agricultural  procedure.  Do  not  hesitate  to  use  powder — 
Dupont's — as  you  can  find  nothing  better. 

Yours  truly, 

JAMES  MILLS,  Superintendent. 

French  Prunes  Do  Well  in  Blasted  Holes 

Saratoga,  Cal.,  Sept.  17,  1911. 
Gentlemen : 

My  experience  with  dynamite  in  an  orchard  has  been  confined  to  remov- 
ing diseased  and  dead  trees  and  opening  holes  to  plant  new  trees.  I  have 
found  this  method  much  more  rapid  and  hence  much  cheaper  than  by  digging. 
It  also  leaves  the  soil  in  idea!   condition  for  planting  the  new  tree. 

There  was  a  block  of  five  trees  that  had  been  replanted  each  year  for 
four  years,  without  getting  one  to  grow.  Last  fall  the  holes  were  dug  as 
usual  and  in  the  bottom  of  each  hole  we  exploded  a  stick  of  Hercules  No.  2 
(40%)  Dynamite.  The  trees  (French  prune)  that  were  planted  in  these  holes 
last  winter  are  the  strongest  testimonials  to  the  value  of  this  process  that 
could  be  offered,  sending  out  new  shoots  six  and  eight  feet  long.  In  plant- 
ing young  trees  in  virgin  soil  the  same  results  have  followed,  as  it  so 
thoroughly  loosens  up  the  hard  ground  that  the  young  roots  have  every  op- 
portunity to  start,  causing  the  tree  to  make  a  vigorous  growth  the  first  year, 
which  is  most  essential  to  the  value  of  the  tree. 

Yours  truly, 

GUY  U.  SMITH, 
State  Assemblyman,  36th  District. 

72 


Plants  Six  Hundred  Acres  for  $6.00  an  Acre 

WooDLAKE,  Cal.,  Junc  30,   1911. 

During  the  past  three  years  we  have  set  out  six  hundred  acres  of 
lemon  and  orange  trees  and  in  every  instance  have  used  a  stick  of  your 
dynamite  (Red  Cross)  in  the  hole  where  the  tree  was  planted.  The  trees 
are  all  healthy  and  doing  fine.  There  is  a  very  marked  difference  between  the 
trees  that  were  set  in  this  manner  and  those  not  dynamited. 

In  using  this  dynamite  we  bore  a  hole  three  feet  with  a  two  inch  auger 
at  a  cost  of  about  two  cents  per  hole,  which,  with  the  cost  of  the  dynamite 
and  the  labor  in  exploding  same  for  ninety  holes  per  acre,  is  about  $6.00 
per  acre.  There  is  no  other  manner  by  which  the  ground  can  be  prepared 
so  well  for  planting  at  this  cost. 

WOODLAKE  ORCHARD   CO.,   By   G.   F.   Stevenson. 

Planting  Walnut  Trees  in  California 

I  planted  100  walnut  trees  this  year  with  explosives  and  they  have  already 
grown  larger  than  those  I  planted  the  year  before  where  I  did  not  use  any 
powder  in  digging  the  holes.  The  powder  beats  anything  I  ever  saw  for 
making  the  trees  grow  fast.  My  land  is  mixed  with  sand  and  it  is  mostly 
black  loam.  I  drilled  my  holes  seven  feet  deep  and  then  put  in  a  half  stick 
of  Hercules  No.  2,  40%  and  a  handful  of  Champion  and  tamped  the  holes 
tight.  After  the  explosion  you  could  shove  down  a  stick  to  a  depth  of  ten 
feet,  and  1  do  not  figure  my  cost  over  20c.  per  hole.  It  would  cost  many 
times  as  much  to  dig  them  by  hand  and  then  the  holes  would  not  be  half 
as  good  as  those  dug  with  powder.  I  have  been  using  powder  for  many 
years,  but  never  before  for  tree  planting,  but  hereafter  all  my  trees  will 
be  planted  with  powder,  as  there  is  nothing  like  it. 

JAMES  GRUBB,  Tudor,  Sutter  County,  Cal. 

Gets  World's  Record  Breakers  in  Dry  Farming  Section 

Goodpasture,  Colo.,  December  16,  1911. 

Many  years  ago  I  saw  a  farmer  using  this  on  a  portion  of  irrigated  ground 
that  he  could  not  dig  with  a  spade,  and  these  few  trees  did  much  better  than 
where  the  holes  were  dug.  The  thought  occurred  to  me  if  this  was  good  for 
irrigated  ground,  it  ought  to  apply  to  non-irrigated,  so  I  thought  I  would  give  it 
a  test.  I  dug  my  tree  holes  2  feet  in  diameter  and  2  feet  deep,  drove  a  drill 
in  the  bottom  of  this  hole  about  24  inches  (and  by  tapping  the  sides  of  this 
drill,  it  can  be  easily  pulled  out).  I  used  about  two-thirds  of  a  stick  of  dyna- 
mite which  opened  the  ground  many  feet. 

The  cost  of  dynamite  for  these  holes  was  about  10  cents  each,  and  the 
land  is  of  such  a  nature  that  it  would  have  cost  ten  times  that  much  to  dig 
these  holes  by  hand.  I  also  planted  a  few  trees,  in  spade-dug  holes.  These 
trees  have  died,  while  the  fruit  from  the  trees  planted  in  dynamite-dug  holes 
won  a  world's  prize. 

My  first  planting  of  trees  by  this  method  of  dynamiting  and  thorough 
cultivating  was  180  apple  trees,  set  in  the  spring  of  190^,  and  I  have  only 
lost  one  and  that  was  killed  by  the  rabbits.  Have  planted  many  trees  since  by 
this  method  with  good  results.  Trees  begin  to  bear  the  second  year  and  look  as 
well  as  irrigated  ones.    They  are  the  world's  record  breakers. 

LEE  R.  ROPER. 

"Never  Again"  for  the  Spade 

Crozet,  Va.,  November  7,  1911. 
I  am  using  your  Red   Cross  Dynamite  every  day  now;   and  have  bought 
250  pounds  to  plant  1,000  trees,  and  am  getting  along  fine,  and  find  it  O.  K.     I 
shall  never  dig  another  hole  for  trees  except  with  dynamite. 

Several  of  my  neighbors  came  around  and  I  showed  them  the  work. 
Then  they  bought  dynamite  to  plant  their  trees  with. 

S.  K.  GARRISON,  Grower  of  Apples,  Peaches,  Pears,  Strawberries. 

73 


Proved  Results  in  Cultivating  and  Regenerating  Orchards: 

1.  Young  spade-set  trees  can  be  forwarded  in  development  at 
least  a  year  by  dynamite  blasting  between  the  rows. 

2.  Old,  failing  trees  can  be  restored  to  ample  productiveness  by 
blasting  between  the  rows. 

3.  Fungus  diseases  can  be  eliminated  by  blasting  under  affected 
trees,  or  blowing  out  those  killed  by  fungus,  and  planting  new  trees  in 
their  places. 

Cultivate  Spade-set  Trees  With  Dynamite 

We  frequently  receive  letters  from  orchardists  stating  that  they  had 
planted  trees  in  their  orchards  a  year,  two  years  or  three  years  ago  which 
are  not  doing  well  because  of  hardpan  conditions  beneath  the  surface  soil  or 
because  of  compacted  soil  or  insufficient  moisture  storage  capacity  of  soil. 
These  orchardists  express  the  keenest  regret  at  having  learned  about  tree 
planting  with  dynamite  after  their  orchards  had  been  planted.  They  tell  us 
they  believe  their  trees  would  bei  in  a  much  better  condition  had  they  been 
planted  by  this  method. 

^  If  their  trees  are  alive,  there  is  no  occasion  for  repining.  The  subsoil  in 
which  the  trees  are  planted  can  still  be  broken  up  by  subsoil  blasting  between 
the  trees.  This  rejuvenation  work  will  give  the  trees  the  same  favorable 
opportunity  for  growth  and  development  that  they  would  have  had  had  they 
been  planted  in  holes  prepared  by  dynamite  blasting  in  the  first  place. 

Millions  of  fruit,  shade  and  ornamental  trees  are  standing  in  the  orchards, 
parks,  yards  and  along  highways  in  this  country.  Many  of  them  are  very 
valuable  because  of  the  fruit  they  are  capable  of  producing.  Others  are 
highly  prized  by  their  owners  because  they  serve  to  ornament  and  shade 
residence  properties  or  parks ;  others  add  greatly  to  the  appearance  of  streets. 

But  many  of  these  trees  are  in  an  unhealthy  condition.  This  may  be  due 
to  various  causes.  An  investigation  will  show  that  soil  conditions  are  at 
fault  as  often  as  any  other  cause.  Many  of  these  soil  conditions  may  be 
remedied  by  subsoil  blasting  between  the  trees.  If  the  soil  in  which  the  tree 
is  planted  is  compacted  so  that  it  is  difficult  for  the  roots  to  make  healthy 
growth  into  the  deep  subsoil,  or  if  the  soil  is  not  sufficiently  porous  to  permit 
of  the  absorption  and  storage  of  moisture,  blasting  with  dynamite  will  prove 
an  effective  remedy. 

In  every  part  of  the  United  States  will  be  found  trees  in  parks  and  along 
public  highways  showing  signs  of  deterioration.  Sometimes  these  conditions 
are  due  to  the  fact  that  the  trees  are  planted  in  poor  soil;  sometimes  because 
they  are  in  soil  underlaid  with  hardpan  or  compact  subsoil ;  sometimes  because 
their  roots  grow  out  under  asphalt,  cement  or  flag  pavements  which  pre- 
vent them  from  obtaining  the  benefit  of  rainfall.  In  any  of  these  cases  the 
use  of  dynamite  will  improve  the  health  of  the  tree. 

The  Park  Commissioners  at  St.  Louis  and  Joplin,  Mo.,  and  Los  Angeles 
and  San  Diego,  Cal.,  have  recently  used  dynamite  for  these  purposes  with 
excellent  results.  In  St.  Louis  200  trees  were  planted  at  a  cost  less  than  the 
work  could  have  been  done  by  labor  alone. 

Mr.  Kieth,  a  Park  Commissioner  of  Joplin,  Mo.,  is  a  member  of  the 
National  Park  Association  and  intends  making  a  report  to  the  Association  of 
the  results  obtained  in  his  city.  His  experience  in  planting  walnut  and  black 
locust  trees  was  such  that  he  says  he  will  always  plant  trees  with  Du  Pont 
dynamite  hereafter. 

Rejuvenation  of  Trees  Within  City  Limits 

Every  old  town  has  many  trees  along  the  streets  that  are  failing,  from  one  cause  or  another, 
but  mostly  from  root  cutting  on  streets  where  sidewalks  have  been  laid,  cutting  off  their  former 
supply  of  nourishment.  In  this  contracted  space  the  tree  soon  exhausts  what  little  fertility  is 
within  easy  reach. 

Many  an  old  dying  tree  have  I  resuscitated  by  a  half  dozen  small  charges  of  dynamite 
below  the  root  system,  often  filling  the  hole  after  the  charge  is  in  with  some  fertilizer  which 
will  be  scattered  through  the  soil  close  by  the  roots,  giving  them  the  immediate  effect. 

I  use  this  same  method  in  orchard  dynamiting  and  it  works  wonders.  Often  the  effect  can 
be  seen  in  ten  days  after  treatment.  M.  J.  WALTERS, 

Elyria,  Ohio. 

74 


60- Year-Old  Orchard  Successfully  Rejuvenated 

Stonington,  Aug.  23,  1911. 

Last  Spring  I  used  vour  dynamite  to  try  to  imnrove  an  old  apple  orchard,  planted  over 
60  years  ago,  which  has  borne  little  or  nothing  for  tne  past  four  years. 

The  trees  were  planted  30  feet  apart,  and  had  been  badly  neglected  and  untrimmed. 

I  used  a  half  a  stick  of  dynamite  between  every  tree  last  April,  and  have  been  much 
gratified  at  the  resulL 

The  entire  orchard  is  loaded  with  apples,  and  their  weight  ha«  broken  down  one  tree, 
and  broken  limbs  of  many  others. 

I  think  the  apples  are  much  larger  than  usual. 

I  have  also  used  dynamite  in  blasting  out  rocks,  with  very  good  results,  and  am  intending 
to  use  it  more  extensively  another  year.  Very  truly  yours, 

EUGENE  P.  EDWARDS. 

Saves  Dying  Orchard  by  Blasting 

Chkbbydalx,  Va.,  February  15,  191a. 

I  noted  on  one  or  two  occasions  articles  appearing  in  current  magazines  and  papers  on 
the  use  of  dynamite  in  breaking  up  subsoil  and  cultivating  in  general,  especially  in  orchards. 
I  set  out  a  small  orchard  a  few  years  ago  with  rather  unsatisfactory  results,  owing  to  the  fact 
that  there  was  a  hardpan  that  ran  in  this  section  of  the  country  under  the  topsoil  at  the  depth 
of  two  or  three  feet,  which  in  rainy  weather  allows  no  moisture  to  penetrate,  making  the  ground 
soggy  for  the  time  being;  and  then  during  a  dry  spell,  with  no  moisture  obtainable  from  beneath 
the  hardpan.  it  is  only  a  matter  of  a  short  time  before  the  ground  is  as  dry  as  a  bone. 

On  reading  the  above  mentioned  articles  I  immediately  made  up  my  mind  to  give  dvnamitc 
a  trial,  for  the  trees  were  practically  at  a  standstill  for  the  past  three  years  and  I  knew  it 
could  do  not  harm,  and  I  must  say  that  I  am  more  than  elated  over  the  results.^  Where  I  re- 
planted trees  I  had  an  opportunity  to  place  a  small  charge  to  loosen  the  topsoil  down  to  the 
hardpan,  and  after  cleaning  out  the  same  I  drilled  through  the  hardpan  and  broke  that  up 
nicely  with  another  small  charge.  The  trees  planted  in  this  manner  are  running  away  from  the 
rest,  and  at  the  same  time  those  trees  that  I  simplv  cultivated  with  dynamite  have  shown  marked 
improvement  over  those  that  were  simply  worked  the  old  way.  Although  I  have  had  only  one 
season  to  observe  these  results,  I  really  expect  better  results  from  now  on. 

I  may  add  that  the  time  and  labor  saved  is  by  no  means  a  small  item.  By  using  dynamite, 
I  simply  had  to  ram  the  bar  down  about  two  feet,  place  a  small  charge,  which  cost  less  than 
two  cents,  and  was  sufficiently  strong  enough  to  pun  the  ground  up  and  around  a  reasonable 
distance.  With  such  gratifying  results  it  makes  a  fellow  feel  bad  when  he  thinks  of  the  labor 
and  time  spent  the  past  three  years  working  around  trees  the  old  way,  and  I  assure  you  from 
now  on  it  will  be  dynamite  for  mine.  Very  truly  yours, 

PAUL  C.  BISCHOFF.. 

From  a  Professor  of  Horticulture 

BozEMAN,  Mont.,  Oct.  3,  1911. 

I  have  been  very  much  interested  in  the  work  which  you  are  carrying  on  to 
demonstrate  the  value  of  dynamite  upon  the  farm,  but  I  am  especially  inter- 
ested in  the  use  of  this  material  in  planting  trees,  both  as  a  means  of  dig- 
ging the  holes  and  as  a  means  of  shaking  up  the  subsoil. 

It  has  been  intimated  by  some  that  the  fruit  trees  in  some  of  our  irrigated 
sections  are  shallow  rooted,  and  it  is  no  doubt  true.  Two  conditions  are 
met  with  in  arid  sections,  which  I  believe  do  induce  fruit  trees  to  root 
shallow.  One  is  a  hard  subsoil,  through  which  the  tree  roots  are  unable 
to  force  their  way.  This  layer  of  subsoil  is  often  thin  and  could  easily  be 
shaken  up  with  dynamite.  Once  the  roots  of  the  young  trees  are  through  this 
soil,  they  would  find  conditions  for  growth  good  below  this  hard  layer,  com- 
monly  referred  to  as  hardpan. 

Another  condition,  which  is  just  as  frequently  responsible,  I  believe,  is  a 
dry  subsoil  which  does  not  invite  the  growth  of  roots  in  that  direction.  In 
these  arid  regions  many  of  our  young  orchards  are  planted  upon  raw  land. 
The  subsoil  is  naturally  very  dry;  and,  if  the  soil  is  rather  fine,  it  may  be 
several  years  before  the  irrigated  water  applied  will  reach  the  depth  to  which 
tree  roots  normally  go.  But  until  the  moisture  is  there,  the  roots  will  seek 
the  surface  soil  where  the  moisture  supply  is  plentiful.  And  when  once  the 
tree  has  established  this  shallow  system  of  roots,  it  does  not  change. 

The  use  of  dynamite  in  planting  would,  I  am  sure,  break  up  the  subsoil  and 
allow  the  irrigation  water  applied  the  first  season  to  rapidly  settle  to  the 
lower  soil  and  attract  the  roots  of  the  young  trees  in  that  direction.  The  roots 
well  down  in  the  soil  are  away  from  fluctuating  temperature  and  moisture 
conditions  and  are  better  able  to  serve  the  tree. 

O.  B.  WHIPPLE,  Horticulturist,  Montana  Agricultural  College. 

75 


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Deep  Plowing  or  Subsoiling  With  Red  Cross  Dynamite 
Increases  All  Crops 

The  value  of  Red  Cross  Dynamite  in  the  orchard  has  been  proved 
beyond  question. 

Let  us  now  consider  its  value  in  the  production  of  the  vegetables 
and  grains  that  constitute  our  chief  farm  products. 

Of  course  a  tree  is  merely  a  plant  or  form  of  vegetation  and  the 
process  of  soil  preparation  which  will  benefit  an  apple  tree  will  bene- 
fit a  corn  stalk,  or  a  head  of  cabbage,  or  a  tomato  plant,  or  any  other 
form  of  vegetation  which  draws  its  sustenance  from  the  soil  through 
its  roots.  With  the  exception  that  different  plants  feed  upon  different 
plant  foods,  the  principles  of  their  growth  and  life  are  the  same  in  all 
forms  of  vegetation. 

But  we  are  not  obliged  to  go  by  theory  or  opinion.  In  the  follow- 
ing pages  we  prove  by  actual  photographs  and  incontrovertible  testi- 
mony that  deep  plowing  with  Red  Cross  Dynamite  increases  the  growth 
and  fruition  of  corn,  tomatoes,  beans,  grapes  and  watermelons,  oats, 
alfalfa,  flowers  and  cotton. 

The  almost  universal  condition  of  farm  land  throughout  this  coun- 
try is  that  it  will  not  grow  good  crops  unless  extensively  fertilized, 
deeply  plowed  and  the  crops  rotated  carefully. 

In  spite  of  all  these  efforts  to  keep  the  topsoil  rich  and  productive, 
the  average  yield  per  acre  of  all  standard  crops  is  steadily  decreasing. 

For  generations  and  for  centuries  the  top  layer  of  our  soil  has 
been  cultivated  to  a  plow  depth  of  four  to  eight  inches.  The  same 
soil  has  been  turned  over,  year  after  year,  and  gradually  robbed  of 
its  natural,  original  fertility. 

Deep  plowing  is,  in  most  cases,  the  remedy  for  soil  deterioration. 
When  done  with  a  subsoil  plow  to  a  depth  of  sixteen  to  eighteen 
inches,  there  is  a  noticeable  increase  in  yields.  When  done  with  Red 
Cross  Dynamite  to  a  depth  of  five  to  six  feet  there  is  a  phenomenal 
increase  in  yields. 


Why  Deep  Plowing  Increases  Fertility 

The  reason  why  deep  tillage  or  subsoil  plowing  is  desirable  is 
that  all  the  soil  below  the  bottom  of  the  ordinary  plow  cut,  in  other 
words  everything  below  six  to  eight  inches,  is  still  in  its  primeval 
condition.  It  has  never  been  disturbed.  Chemical  analyses  of  soils 
down  to  a  depth  of  twenty  feet  show  that  on  the  average  acre  there 
are  tons  of  plant  foods  which  become  available  only  when  roots 
can  penetrate  to  them,  or  when  ascending  moisture  brings  them  up 
to  the  roots  that  cannot  get  down. 

Alfalfa  and  other  deep  rooted  plants  are  called  "soil  makers" 
because  they  penetrate  this  compact  soil,  introduce  humus  and  pro- 
vide a  passageway  for  the  descent  and  ascent  of  water  which  carries 
with  it  the  soluble,  fertilizing  elements,  but  many  subsoils  are  so  hard 
that  it  is  practically  impossible  for  any  one  plant  to  penetrate  them. 


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Even  when  this  is  possible  there  is  no  use  in  putting  such  a  burden 
on  the  plant,  because  whatever  vitality  is  expended  in  making  its  own 
home  beneath  the  surface  is  subtracted  from  the  vitality  of  the  plant 
above  the  surface.  In  other  words,  the  plant  that  has  to  fight  for  its 
life  beneath  the  soil  has  little  energy  left  for  fruition. 

If  we  make  root  growth  easy  and,  quick  by  breaking  up  the 
subsoil,  then  we  make  the  fertilizing  elements  of  the  subsoil  im- 
mediately available  and  save  the  energy  of  the  plant  for  fruition. 
We  also  create  in  the  subsoil  a  porous  condition  favorable  to  the  storage 
of  water  at  a  depth  that  will  not  keep  the  soil  cold,  and  yet  near 
enough  to  the  roots  to  feed  them  through  capillary  attraction.  Subsoil- 
ing  also  introduces  air  into  the  soil,  and  it  is  just  as  necessary  for  the 
roots  of  a  plant  to  have  air  as  it  is  for  a  human  being  to  have  air. 

Now  it  is  obvious  that  the  passage  of  air  and  moisture  through 
the  soil,  the  growth  of  roots  and  the  resulting  deposit  of  humus, 
all  tend  to  keep  the  soil  open,  hence  if  it  is  once  thoroughly  shattered 
with  Red  Cross  Dynamite  to  a  depth  of  five  or  six  feet  and  the  prin- 
ciples of  crop  rotation  are  followed  thereafter,  it  is  safe  to  say  that 
that  subsoil  will  never  again  get  back  into  its  primeval  compact  con- 
dition. Whether  or  not  it  remains  as  open  as  immediately  after  blast- 
ing, depends  on  the  continuity  of  cropping  and  the  proper  rotation  of 
the  crops. 

The  effect  of  subsoiling  virtually  is  to  change  a  farm  from  a  six- 
inch  layer  of  topsoil  to  a  six-foot  layer.  The  only  element  of  fertility 
lacking  in  the  lower  five  and  a  half  feet  is  humus  and  that  will  be 
increased  by  each  year's  deep  rooting  crops.  The  significance  of  this 
conclusion  must  be  appreciated  by  any  careful  agriculturist,  because  it 
means  a  tremendous  increase  in  available  fertility  and  a  practical  means 
of  insurance  against  drouth. 

Extracts  from  United  States  Government  Bulletins: 

The  advantages  of  removing  water  downward  through  the  soil 
instead  of  over  the  surface  may  be  briefly  stated  as  follows : 

"The  surface  soil  is  retained  entire  instead  of  the  finest  and  most 
fertile  parts  being  carried  off  with  every  considerable  rainfall. 

Any  plant  food  in  manure  or  other  fertilizer  deposited  upon  the 
soil  is  carried  into  it  with  the  water  as  it  percolates  downward  from 
the  surface,  and  so  becomes  thoroughly  incorporated  with  the  soil. 

Rain  water  as  it  passes  through  the  soil  serves  a  most  useful  pur- 
pose by  dissolving  and  preparing  crude  soil  material  for  the  nutrition 
of  plants. 

The  soil  having  been  well  prepared,  is  at  all  times  during  the  grow- 
ing season  in  readiness  for  the  growth  of  plants,  such  growth  not 
being  hindered  by  stagnant  water  or  saturation. 

The  frost  goes  out  earlier  in  spring  so  that  the  planting  season 
opens  one  or  two  weeks  sooner  than  in  the  case  of  poorly  drained 
soils. 

Where  stiff  clays  are  found,  the  soil  is  made  more  porous,  open 
and  friable,  and  roots  penetrate  more  deeply  than  they  do  with  sur- 
face-drained soils. 

79 


The  effects  of  drouth  are  diminished  owing  to  the  large  and  deep- 
ened soil  bed  and  the  more  favorable  condition  of  the  surface  for 
preventing  excessive  evaporation  of  moisture. 

It  aids  in  making  new  soil  out  of  the  unprepared  elements  since 
it  permits  a  free  entrance  of  air  and  amtospheric  heat,  which  dis- 
integrates soil  material  hitherto  unavailable  for  use  of  plants." 

Depth  of  Root  Penetration 

Much  misapprehension  exists  among  agriculturists  regarding  the 
depth  to  which  roots  penetrate  the  soil.  It  is  a  general  belief  that  the 
roots  of  cultivated  crops  do  not  reach  to  a  greater  depth  than  one  or 
two  feet. 

Corn  roots  have  been  found  to  penetrate  four  feet  deep  and  to 
fully  occupy  the  soil  to  that  depth.  On  drier  and  deeper  soils  they 
went  as  deep  as  eight  feet.  Roots  of  small  grains,  such  as  wheat, 
oats  and  barley,  penetrated  the  soil  from  four  to  eight  feet  and  even 
ten  feet  in  depth.  -Perennial  grasses  have  been  found  to  go  to  a  depth 
of  four  feet  the  first  year  and  five  and  a  half  feet  the  next  year,  and 
they  probably  go  considerably  deeper  during  succeeding  years. 

Other  crops  have  gone  to  the  following  depths:  Potatoes,  three 
feet;  sugar  beets,  four  feet;  alfalfa,  thirty  to  fifty  feet.  The  buffalo 
berry  penetrated  the  soil  to  the  depth  of  fifty  feet  in  Nebraska.  In 
California,  grape  vines  went  down  twenty-two  feet;  flagwort  more 
than  ten  feet ;  goose  foot,  eleven  feet,  and  hop  plant,  eight  to  ten  feet. 

Most  of  the  above  results  were  obtained  in  humid  or  sub-humid 
regions.  Soils  and  climate  differ  in  such  a  way  as  to  favor  a  some- 
what deeper  root  penetration  in  arid  regions,  hence  it  is  natural  to 
expect  to  find  roots  at  even  greater  depths  than  the  above. 

The  conditions  which  encourage  deeper  rooting  are  drainage,  limit- 
ed supply  of  moisture  and  a  soil  porous  and  fertile  to  a  great  depth. 
Deep,  early  cultivation  also  forces  roots  to  seek  the  lower  depths. 
Deep  rooted  plants  are  much  more  drouth  resistant,  due  to  the  lower 
water  supply  during  periods  of  drouth.  They  also  have  a  larger  feed- 
ing area,  and  the  fertility  of  the  soil  is  not  depleted  so  quickly. 

Subsoiling  With  Red  Cross  Dynamite 

This  is  the  ideal  method  for  breaking  up  compact  subsoil  whether 
this  compactness  is  due  to  plow  sole  or  natural  hardpan,  because  it 
breaks  up  the  compact  subsoil  without  throwing  the  subsoil  on  top  of 
the  topsoil  or  mixing  the  two. 

The  objection  to  mixing  virgin  subsoil  with  old  topsoil  is  that  the 
former  contains  very  little  humus  and  unless  heavily  fertilized  is  dis- 
advantageous as  a  topsoil  until  one  or  two  years  after  it  has  been 
broken  up,  when  the  action  of  air  and  moisture  and  the  penetration 
of  roots  and  other  vegetable  matter  shall  have  nitrated  it. 

The  method  of  subsoiling  with  Red  Cross  Dynamite  is  very  simple. 
In  the  average  soil  not  underlaid  with  extremely  tough  hardpan,  holes 
•one  and  one-half  inches  in  diameter  are  put  down  every  fifteen  feet  to 
a  depth  of  about  thirty  inches.  These  holes  may  be  made  with  a  dirt 
auger  or  subsoil  bar,  or  a  churn  drill  may  be  obtained  from  any  black- 
smith which  will  put  down  the  holes  very  easily  in  average  soil. 

81 


Each  of  these  holes  is  then  charged  with  a  half  cartridge  of 
20  per  cent  Red  Cross  Dynamite,  which  has  previously  been  primed 
with  a  No.  6  Du  Pont  cap  crimped  on  to  about  three  feet  of  fuse,  the 
length  of  the  fuse  required  being  enough  to  reach  to  the  top  of  the 
ground.  Each  hole  must  then  be  tamped  with  a  wooden  tamping  stick, 
using  moist  earth  or  clay  for  this  purpose.  The  tamping  must  be  done 
thoroughly,  as  the  object  of  the  blast  is  to  crack  and  shake  up  the  subsoil 
sideways  and  downwards  rather  than  to  blow  the  subsoil  up  into  the 
air.  For  this  reason,  stibsoiling  should  be  done  only  when  the  ground 
is  dry,  because  when  it  is  wet  the  blast  is  almost  certain  to  blow  up- 
luards  and  make  a  hole  in  the  ground  instead  of  breaking  it  up  side- 
ways. 

After  a  considerable  number  of  holes  have  been  charged  the  blaster 
passes  from  one  hole  to  another,  lighting  the  fuses;  the  explosions 
follow  about  one  minute  after  the  fuse  is  lit.  As  the  charge  is  usually 
effective  principally  underground  it  is  not  necessary  for  the  blaster  to 
keep  any  great  distance  away  from  the  explosions. 

Firing  the  charges  electrically  has  advantages,  the  chief  of  which 
is  that  all  the  blasts  over  a  large  area  covered  by  twenty  or  thirty 
holes  may  be  fired  at  one  time  and  the  shaking  and  cracking  effect  of 
the  various  charges  is  greater  because  of  this  united  action.  This  method 
is,  however,  more  expensive. 

Another  advantage  is  that  there  is  much  less  liability  of  a  misfire, 
which  may  occur  when  the  cap  and  fuse  method  is  used,  because  the 
cap  may  pull  out  of  the  cartridge  after  it  is  lowered  into  the  hole. 
This  seldom  happens  when  an  electric  fuze  is  used. 

Detailed  instructions  for  preparing  and  loading  subsoil  charges  for 
both  methods  of  blasting  will  be  found  on  pages  1 19  to  126. 

Method  of  Breaking  Up  Hard  pan: 

A  large  part  of  the  farms  of  this  country  are  underlaid  with  a 
natural  hardpan  of  clay  which  is  completely  impervious  to  water 
and  which  lies  from  ten  to  forty  inches  beneath  the  surface.  Such 
a  hardpan  is  a  constant  menace  to  crops.  It  prevents  the  storage  of 
moisture  and  causes  the  topsoil  to  wash  away  in  wet  weather  and 
dry  out  quickly  in  dry  weather.  Where  the  ground  is  level  such  a 
hardpan  will  cause  pools  of  water  to  form  in  fields  in  wet  weather 
which  drowns  out  the  vegetation.  This  hardpan  must  be  broken  be- 
fore good  crops  can  be  raised  on  such  land. 

When  subsoiling  under  such  conditions  the  exact  location  of  the 
charge  must  be  determined  by  the  depth  of  the  hardpan.  The  holes 
should  be  placed  so  that  the  cartridge  is  imbedded  in  the  hardpan. 
When  the  hardpan  is  very  near  the  surface  the  holes  should  be  about 
thirty  inches  in  depth,  but  if  the  hardpan  is  very  tough  the  holes 
should  not  be  as  far  apart  as  fifteen  feet.  It  is  rarely  necessary  to  put 
them  closer  than  ten  feet. 

Where  the  top  of  the  hardpan  is  from  thirty  to  forty  inches  below 
the  surface  it  is  necessary  to  bore  the  holes  deeper  so  as  to  locate  the 
cartridge  in  the  hardpan.  With  the  hardpan  reaching  to  within  thirty 
inches  of  the  surface,  for  instance,  and  a  charge  placed  in  a  thirty-six 

83 


FIG.  66.— NOVEL  PROOF  OF  VALUE  OF  SUBSOILING 
Above  view  shows  a  California  oatfield   recently  cleared   of  stumps.     Wherever  a   stump 
had  been  blown  out,  the  oats  grew  a  foot  higher,  as  shown  by  the  dark  streak.     The  same  blast 
that  threw  out  the  stump  broke  up  the  subsoil  underneath  it.     In  regular  subsoiling,  the  effect 
is  broader  because  the  charge  is  confined  underground. 

We  are  in  receipt  of  a  letter  from  Mr.  Bud  Lane,  of  Hope,  Indiana,  who  has  done  blasting 
for  a  number  of  years.     In  his  letter  he  tells  of  an  experience  he  had  with  a  farmer. 

He  blasted,  for  this  farmer,  a  field  of  stumps;  payment  for  this  work  was  not  to  be  made 
until  three  months  later.  When  Mr.  Lane  called  to  obtain  settlement  the  farmer  claimed  that 
the  number  of  stumps  for  which  he  asked  payment  was  too  great.  Mr.  Lane  said  that  he 
could  prove  that  his  estimate  was  true,  but  the  farmer  thought  that  impossible  as  the  field 
was  sown  in  wheat.  They  went  out  to  the  field,  and  on  each  spot  where  a  stump  had  been  blown 
out  the  wheat  was  several  inches  higher  than  in  places  which  had  not  been  affected  by  the 
blasting.     Mr.  Lane  very  easily  proved  his  point  in  this  way. 

84 


inch  hole  and  well  tamped  in,  the  hardpan  will  be  broken  to  a  depth 
of  six  or  seven  feet  from  the  surface  and  sideways  six  or  seven  feet 
in  all  directions.  Under  these  conditions  holes  at  fifteen  feet  centers 
will  probably  be  close  enough  because  of  the  considerable  volume  of 
loose  compact  soil  above  the  hardpan. 

As  hardpan  frequently  runs  under  the  surface  soil  irregularly,  the 
depth  of  the  holes  will  have  to  be  varied  to  suit  the  conditions  in 
different  parts  of  the  field  that  is  being  subsoiled.  The  man  putting 
down  the  holes  can  easily  decide  the  necessary  depth  by  the  amount 
of  resistance  that  the  soil  offers  to  the  auger  or  bar. 

The  main  thing  to  guard  against  is  the  location  of  a  charge  beneath 
a  thin  section  of  hardpan,  as  such  a  charge  may  break  up  the  soil  under- 
neath the  hardpan  but  may  not  break  the  hardpan.  When  the  hardpan  is 
thin  it  is  better  to  place  the  charge  a  little  too  high  than  a  little  too  low. 

In  parts  of  California  and  in  a  few  other  sections  of  the  country, 
the  hardpan  is  so  thick  and  hard  as  to  have  the  characteristics  of 
stone.  In  such  soil  the  charge  should  never  be  less  than  a  whole 
cartridge  at  fifteen-foot  spacing,  and  owing  to  the  high  cost  of  putting 
down  the  holes,  it  is  often  more  economical  to  use  twenty-foot  spac- 
ing with  two  or  three  cartridges  per  hole.  The  high  value  of  Cali- 
fornia land  when  under  cultivation  warrants  the  high  cost  of  such 
subsoiling. 

In  rocky  hardpan  running  near  the  surface  a  whole  cartridge  every 
ten  feet  will  probably  produce  better  results  than  four  cartridges  every 
twenty  feet.  While  the  holes  for  ten-foot  spacing  need  not  be  quite 
so  deep  as  for  twenty-foot  spacing  there  will  be  four  times  as  many 
holes. 


Opinion  of  a  Distinguished  Citizen 

A  pioneer  in  subsoiling  with  dynamite  was  General  Samuel  J. 
Crawford,  ex-Governor  of  Kansas.  Below  is  a  letter  from  him  that 
tells  of  his  experience : 

"I  am  glad  the  good  work  of  blasting  the  compact  subsoil  and  hardpan  is 
moving  along  in  the  east  as  well  as  in  the  west,  whether  it  be  for  the  planting  of 
trees,  grain  or  anything  else  that  grows  from  the  ground.  If  the  subsoil  is 
loosened  so  that  the  rainfall  can  penetrate  the  earth,  the  roots  of  grain,  grasses, 
trees,  etc.,  will  follow  the  water  to  their  natural  depth  and  draw  their  nourish- 
ment from  five  or  six  feet  of  soil  instead  of  five  or  six  inches  of  surface  soil,  as 
heretofore.  Besides,  the  blasting  creates  sub-reservoirs  in  which  to  store  the 
surplus  rainfall  which  will  supply  the  roots  of  the  growing  products  with  mois- 
ture when  the  dry  season  is  on.  Again,  if  the  ground  is  loosened  so  the  water 
can  pass  down  into  sub-reservoirs,  there  will  be  no  standing  water  on  the  surface 
to  damage  the  crops  or  keep  the  farmers  back  with  their  work.  Such  treatment, 
properly  applied,  will  revolutionize  the  agricultural  and  horticultural  industries 
throughout  the  country. 

"The  government  is  spending  millions  of  money  for  irrigation  purposes  in 
isolated  places,  which,  from  the  nature  of  things  can  only  benefit  a  few  people, 
while  the  blasting  process  will  benefit  all  the  farmers  and  fruit  growers  at  com- 
paratively a  nominal  expense.  By  this  process  most  of  the  worn-out  farms  in 
New  England  and  throughout  the  country  can  be  reclaimed  and  made  to  produce 
good  crops.  All  that  is  necessary  is  for  the  producers  to  grasp  the  idea  and  learn 
how  to  handle  explosives." 

85 


"•S 

^ 

^4    -■ 

_£; 

*-. 

FIG.  67 


FIG.  68 

Both  cuts  are  photos  showing  two  plots  of  garden  beets,  the  ones  to  the  right  planted 
on  ground  subsoiled  with  Red  Cross  Extra  Dynamite  ten  days  after  those  on  the  left 
were  planted  on  ground  not  subsoiled.  The  dynamited  beets  matured  very  early  and 
brought  75  cents  per  dozen  bunches,  the  others  were  much  later  and  brought  only 
•40  cents  per  dozen  bunches.     Farm  of  H.  B.  Decker,  E.  Stroudsburg,  Pa. 

86 


Cost  of  Subsoiling  With  Red  Cross  Dynamite 

The  following  table  will  give  an  approximate  idea  of  the  cost  of 
subsoiling,  referring  to  the  cost  of  materials  only : 


^ 

>0     t)B 

-  = 

t:  J5  '^  J{ 

o 

o 

Cross 
Dynam 

of  No. 
)  blasti 
acre 

of  feet 
acre 

8 

cost   p 
materij 
imiting 
w  surf a 

u 

< 

u    u 

mber 
dlabe 
s  per 

mber 
c    per 
.  hole 

prox. 
e    of 
dyn 
t  bclo 

u 

Is 

2    X 

3  «  s* 

11% 

^\ll 

15 

>^ 

194 

49 

194 

582 

12.20 

i8 

Yt 

128 

32 

128 

384 

8.00 

I 

128 

64 

128 

384 

11.20 

20 

K 

109 

28 

109 

327 

6.93 

I 

109 

55 

109 

327 

10.98 

1 

The  labor  cost  will  of  course  depend  on  the  wages  paid  and  the 
case  or  difficulty  with  which  the  holes  are  put  down.  Where  very 
tough  hardpan  is  encountered  the  cost  of  putting  down  the  holes  may 
amount  to  nearly  the  cost  of  the  explosives  and  supplies.  On  the 
other  hand,  where  only  a  plow  sole  is  encountered  the  holes  can  be 
put  down  very  rapidly  and  cheaply,  and  for  that  reason  these  tables 
do  not  include  labor  cost. 

Where  soil  conditions  are  easy  the  holes  can  be  put  down  at  the 
rate  of  about  thirty  per  hour.  Where  soil  conditions  are  difficult  it  may 
take  five  minutes  or  more  per  hole.  Priming  the  cartridges  and  tamp- 
ing them  in  will  take  from  two  to  three  minutes  per  hole.  In  general, 
subsoiling  will  seldom  cost  less  than  $10.00  an  acre  and  will  rarely 
cost  more  than  $25.00  an  acre. 


Second  Year  Results  Greater  Than  First 

Anderson,  S.  C,  September  23,  1912. 
In  reference  to  breaking  land  with  dynamite  for  farming  purposes  will  say 
that  the  land  so  broken  in  the  Spring  of  1911  shows  a  greater  improvement  than 
it  did  the  first  year.  The  upland  corn  was  at  least  40%  better  than  the  corn  raised 
on  adjoining  land  that  was  not  dynamited.  I  dynamited  four  acres  this  year  and 
I  find  a  great  difference  in  the  corn  compared  with  the  adjoining  land.  The  greatest 
difference,  as  stated  above,  is  the  second  year.  I  also  broke  some  land  for  cotton 
late  in  the  spring  this  year  and  I  am  much  pleased  with  the  results,  as  the  cotton 
is  still  green  and  blooming  and  has  stood  the  dry  weather  better  than  the  other 
land. 

Yours  very  truly, 

J.  S.  FOWLER. 

87 


FIG.  69.— DEEP  PLOWING  MAKES  BIG  CORN  YIELDS 


One  of  the  first  experimenters  with  dynamite  for  deep  plowing  was  J.  H.  Caldwell,  of 
Spartanburg,  S.  C.  He  subsoiled  a  portion  of  his  corn-field  with  dynamite  and  increased  the 
yield  one-third  over  that  of  the  portions  not  subsoiled.  A  committee  of  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce of  Spartanburg  inspected  this  corn  and  certified  to  the  accuracy  of  the  figures. 


Effects  of   Subsoiling  With  Red  Cross  Dynamite  on 
the  Action  of  Commercial  Fertilizers 

Commercial  fertilizers  are  ordinarily  added  to  the  soil  in  a  very 
fine  and  readily  soluble  condition,  and  are  usually  incorporated  with 
the  first  few  inches  of  soil  at  or  just  before  the  time  of  seeding. 
This  keeps  them  from  being  carried  further  into  the  soil  mass  through 
cultivation.  During  heavy  rains  when  there  is  a  considerable  amount 
of  surface  run-off  of  the  excess  of  water,  large  parts  of  the  fertilizers 
thus  added  are  at  once  brought  into  solution  and  lost  by  being  carried 
away  by  the  surface  drainage.  The  fertilizing  elements  can,  however, 
be  carried  into  the  deeper  soils  by  transfusion  through  the  soil  moisture 
or  they  can  be  carried  down  with  percolating  water,  provided  the  sub- 
soil has  been  made  sufificiently  porous  to  permit  of  such  percolation. 
Where  soils  are  at  all  packed  both  of  these  processes  are  materially 
hindered,  but  can  be  relieved  by  a  thorough  breaking  to  a  sufficient 
depth.  Except  in  very  rare  instances  these  troubles  occur  beyond  the 
reach  of  the  plow  and  Red  Cross  Dynamite  becomes  necessary. 

Thus  subsoiling  with  dynamite  will  result  in  an  enormous  decrease 
in  the  loss  of  fertilizers  by  washing  and  also  in  inducing  a  deeper  de- 
velopment of  roots  in  search  of  foods,  the  importance  of  which  is 
already  so  thoroughly  understood  by  those  now  interested  in  promotion 
of  deep  subsoiling. 

The  use  of  a  large  amount  of  fertilizer  is  largely  handicapped  by 
even  a  short  season  of  drouth.  During  the  spring,  when  the  soils 
contain  large  amounts  of  moisture,  heavy  applications  of  fertilizers 
result  at  once  in  a  very  luxuriant  growth  of  succulent  but  shallow- 
rooted  vegetation.  A  plant  thus  developed  is  poorly  able  to  combat 
dry  soil  conditions.  Deep  subsoiling  done  in  connection  with  such 
heavy  applications  of  fertilizers  naturally  brings  about  a  much  better 
soil  moisture  condition.  This,  of  course,  permits  of  very  vigorous 
and  rapid  growth  during  the  spring  both  above  and  below  the  surface. 
It  also  safeguards  the  plants  against  the  dry  summer. 

For  the  proper  development  of  a  plant  certain  foods  and  conditions 
are  necessary.  If  one  of  the  foods  is  lacking  or  deficient  in  amount, 
the  growth  of  the  plant  will  correspond  with  the  amount  of  this 
food  available,  and  will  not  be  influenced  beyond  this  point  by  excess  of 
other  foods  present.  Water  is,  of  course,  one  of  the  essential  foods,  so 
when  additional  foods  are  added  as  in  chemical  fertilizers  it  becomes 
necessary  to  furnish  the  plant  with  more  water. 


Farming  Menaced  by  Loss  of  Water 

Has  Been  Lowered  Almost  Two  Feet  a  Decade,  Expert's  Report  Shows 

Washington,  March  29. 

The  ground  water  of  the  United  States,  upon  which  the  agricultural  wealth  of  the  country 
depends,  is  lowering  at  the  rate  of  nearly  two  feet  a  decade,  according  to  Prof.  W.  J.  McGee, 
soil  and  water  expert  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture.  He  arrived  at  this  conclusion  from 
reports  from  35,000  different  points  in  the  United  States,  covering  every  county. 

Unless  means  are  taken  to  check  the  constant  lowering,  dire  results  from  drought  and 
failure  of  crops  are  likely  to  ensue,  declared  Professor  McGee. 

Investigation  has  shown  that  freshets  and  floods  are  allowed  to  carry  off  a  large  percentage 
of  the  rainfall  from  lands  where  it  should  be  retained.  Intensive  farmers  near  large  cities,  whose 
land  is  worth  $400  or  $500  an  acre,  Professor  McGee  says,  take  pains  to  keep  every  drop 
of  water  that  falls  on  their  land  from  leaving  it. — From  Philadelphia  North  American. 

89 


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90 


Experience    in   Terracing 


From  "  St  Louis  Star  Farmer,"  Feb.  23,  1912. 

Editor,  "  The  Weekly  Star  Farmer:  " 

Land  that  has  washed  down  the  hill,  down  the  branch  and  down  the  river  is 
gone,  and  gone  forever.  Wherever  the  top  soil  is  thin  and  sandy,  a  tight  clay  lying 
close  to  the  surface  and  the  country  hilly  or  rolling,  washing  is  sure  to  follow. 
The  precious  and  friendly  raindrops,  like  fire,  are  a  good  servant,  but  a  bad  master. 
If  allowed  to  wash  away  all  the  top  soil,  with  its  plant  food,  they  become  man's 
worst  enemy. 

In  the  four  years  I  have  occupied  my  present  place  I  have  not  suffered  the  loss 
of  one  foot  of  top  soil  from  washing,  and  my  land  is  hilly.  I  solved  the  problem 
with  dynamite.  At  the  same  time  I  solved  several  other  vastly  important  problems 
— the  conservation  of  moisture,  destruction  of  insects,  and  fine,  porous  pulverizing 
of  soil  for  cultivation. 

It  is  terracing  with  dynamite  that  we  are  now  considering.  To  do  this,  make 
a  land  level  of  three  pieces  of  scantling  or  any  cheap,  rough,  straight-edge  stuff; 
one  for  your  bench  to  be  8  to  12  feet  long  and  two  pieces  of  equal  length  2^  to  3^ 
feet  long.  At  a  hardware  store  buy  a  75-cent  carpenter's  spirit  level.  Secure  it 
on  top  of  bench  in  the  middle  by  ten-penny  nails  partly  driven.  A  more  simple 
and  accurate  device  could  not  be  imagined ;  but  if  you  prefer,  buy  a  land  level  for 
$10  or  $15.  Two  men  can  level  fifty  or  more  acres  a  day.  One  takes  the  level  and 
one  follows  with  a  hoe,  chopping  out  a  hoeful  of  dirt  at  each  end,  thus  indicating 
your  terraces.  Or  a  man  may  follow  with  turn  plow  or  twister,  discarding  hoe. 
Throw  several  deep  furrows  up  for  terrace.  Now,  with  a  number  of  l^-inch 
iron  drills  follow  in  last  furrow  and  drill  holes  24  to  34  inches  deep,  every  10  to 
14  feet.  Insert  a  half  stick  of  Red  Cross  Extra  25%  Dynamite,  equipped  with  cap 
and  fuse.  Tamp  well  with  an  old  broom  handle  or  other  wood  tamp,  light  at 
first  and  gradually  harder  and  harder  till  hole  is  filled.  Use  clay  for  tamping. 
Split  end  of  fuse  to  effect  a  powderpan ;  turn  back  and  light  a  row  at  a  time  with 
a  torch  or  matches.  Use  your  best  judgment  in  spacing  terraces,  according  to  steep- 
ness of  your  grade.  Much  land  may  be  saved  for  cultivation  by  dynamiting  close 
terraces  alone,  and  only  throwing  every  third  or  fourth  one  up  with  plow.  It 
is  marvelous  how  this  will  hold  hilly  land  together.  Save  your  fresh  land  and 
reclaim  that  has  begun  to  wash.  Besides  being  the  best  means  for  terracing,  you 
will  literally  irrigate  your  farm  with  these  storehouses  of  moisture  and  will  be 
astonished  beyond  measure  at  the  ease  of  cultivation  and  crop  returns. 

I  travel  all  over  the  Southern  states  from  time  to  time,  meeting  nurserymen 
and  orchardists.  I  have  never  yet  seen  a  man  who  had  used  dynamite  for  stump 
blowing,  tree  setting,  subsoiling  or  ditching  who  was  disappointed  with  results. 
For  my  part,  I  use  it  for  all  these  purposes  on  my  place.  It  has  more  than  proven 
its  worth. 

ARTHUR  E.  COLE, 

High  Point  Farm  and  Nursery,  DeKalb  Co.,  Ga. 
91 


FIG.  72 

OATS  GROWN  ON  N.  Y.  STATE  FAIR  GROUNDS  AT  SYRACUSE  ON  GROUNDS  NOT 

PLOWED  WITH  DYNAMITE.  NOTE  THIN  ROWS,  SHORT  STALKS  AND 

POOR  HEADS 


FIG.  73 

OATS  GROWN  ALONGSIDE  OF  CROP  IN  UPPER  PICTURE  BUT  ON  GROUND 

DEEP-PLOWED  WITH  DYNAMITE.     NOTE  HEIGHT,  VIGOROUS 

GROWTH  AND  WELL  DEVELOPED  HEADS 

92 


Seventy-first  Annua*. 

The   New  York  State   Fair 

Syracuse 

Septcmbcr  IItm-IOtm.  len 


Syracuse ,  E.Y.  July  27,  1*^11 


K,    I     Du  Pont  De  KeitourB  Powder  Co. , 
90  Waet  Street, 

New  York  City. 

Gentlemen:- 

I  as  pleased  to  inforn  you  that  your  Sub-Soiling 
work  has  proven  a  great  success.   The  oat»  axe  growing  up  very 
nicely  and  will  be  in  full  bloon  by  the  tine  tne  Fair  opens.  I 
an  having  the  roads  built  now  so  that  people  can  walk  over  and 
see  what  excellent  work  the  Sub-Soiling  is  doing  in  the  hard 
clay  soil  which  you  had  to  work  with. 

The  facts  are  that  we  were  unable  to  grow  anything 
In  the  way  of  oats  or  any  other  thing  until  you  improved  the 
land  by  the  work  as  stated  above  ard  I  wish  to  say  here  that  we 
did  not  do  any  fartllitlng,  whatever,  to  this  piece  of  land. 

I  would  be  glad  to  recommend  this  to  anyone,  es- 
pecially the  farmers,  to  whom  the  use  of  this  Sub-Soiling 
process,  to  my  mind,  will  do  wonders  to  improve  their  crops. 

Sincerely  yours, 

^^^^^^^ 

CoirjEiss  loner 
^^ 
ADP/B 
The  photos  of  the  crops  on  the  undynamited  and  dynamited  land,  taken  the  same  day,  are 
reprodticed  on  the  opposite  page. 

LATER 


Seventy-second  Annual 

OPFiccMa  coMxiasiOM 

1-  M  V^  C  C  T»«OM*»  f.  C<w»«.  mem  totk 

I  HE  iNew  York  otate  pair  cai.»< j. huscm. *uant 

CMAai.U  1.  WKTWG.  cow  f  tKH.L 


Syracuse 

Septembcr    9TM-14TM.   1912 
Syracuse,    H.   Y. .   February   16th.    1912. 

E.   I.  Du  Pont  da  Kemours  Powder   Co., 

Vilalngton,   Celaware. 
Gantlemen:- 

Z~  reference  to  our  talk  with  jofoi 
reprcsentDtive,    in  regard  to   the  aawunt  of  oats  taken 
fron  the  land  which  was  partly  sub-BOiled  with  dynaaite, 
by  your  Cocpany.     We  would  aay   that  we  ploughed  up 
betweeh  an  acre  and  three  quartera  to  two  acree.     The 
acre  which  was  benefited  by  the  suls-soilisg  gave  forty 
to  forty-five  "bushels  of  oata,    and  the  rcnaining  acre 
yielded  tTTcnty  to  twenty-five  buihela.      The  extreiae  land 
of   the  ttro  acres  furthereet  awey  frcn  where  eub-soll  started 
was   practically   a  total   los8<> 

Sincerely  yours, 

Coinroissioner. 

93 


FIG.  74 
SHOWING  CORN  GROWING  ON  SUBSOILED  GROUND   (ARROW  POINT) 


FIG.  75-— MR.  FOWLER  STANDING  IN  CORN  01^  SUBSOILED  GROUND 


Record  Crop  on  Dynamited  Ground 

From  OHIO  STATE  JOURNAL,  Columbus,  Ohio,  August,  10,  1911. 

Among  the  visitors  to  Columbus  yesterday  was  J.  S.  Fowler,  of 
Anderson,  S.  C.  He  is  one  of  the  original  dynamite  farmers  of  the 
South,  the  new  method  of  farming  which  is  making  the  South  proof 
against  the  drouths  which  have  so  often  blasted  the  hopes  of  its 
farmers. 

He  brought  with  him  pictures  showing  corn  fields  planted  by  the 
dynamite  method,  to  prove  that  the  stories  he  told  of  the  corn  crops 
were  not  fabrications,  absurd  as  they  might  sound  to  the  ears  of 
farmers  in  what  is  supposed  to  be  one  of  the  great  corn-raising  sections 
of  the  country.  The  land  in  the  western  part  of  South  Carolina  is 
good,  and  Mr.  Fowler  said  that  under  the  old  method  he  had  raised 
100  bushels  of  corn  to  the  acre  on  his  plantation,  which  consists  of 
2,000  acres,  but  this  yield  has  more  than  doubled  under  the  new 
method. 

This  year  he  prepared  four  acres  with  dynamite.  Half  a  stick 
of  40  per  cent,  dynamite  was  used  to  each  fifteen  feet  square,  the 
dynamite  being  placed  in  holes  punched  in  the  ground  and  then  fired. 
It  cost  $18.00  an  acre  for  the  dynamiting.  This  stirred  up  the  ground 
from  three  to  four  feet  deep.  It  was  plowed  and  harrowed  in  the 
usual  manner  and  the  corn  drilled.  Just  before  he  came  to  Columbus, 
the  time  when  the  pictures  were  taken,  officials  from  the  government 
agricultural  experiment  station  visited  the  field  and  estimated  that 
the  corn  would  yield  260  bushels  to  the  acre.  Mr.  Fowler  says  that 
he  does  not  believe  that  it  will  go  that  high,  but  states  that  he  expects 
over  800  bushels  from  the  four  acres.  Some  of  the  stalks  of  corn  have 
from  three  to  five  ears  and  all  are  large.  The  corn  is  about  fifteen 
feet  high  and  very  uniform.  Next  year  he  expects  largely  to  increase 
his  dynamite  acreage.  One  dynamiting  does  for  years,  it  is  said,  and 
the  corn  requires  but  little  rain,  as  what  does  fall  is  held  in  the  ground. 
Mr.  Fowler  says  that  the  cotton  crop  in  the  South  this  year  will 
be  a  record-breaker,  in  spite  of  the  reports  of  dry  weather.  "We 
have  learned  many  lessons,"  he  said.  "We  are  plowing  deep  for  our 
cotton  and  the  dry  weather  does  not  damage  us  as  it  once  did.  This 
year  streams  are  dry,  the  cotton  mills  have  closed  because  of  failure 
of  water  power,  but  there  has  not  been  any  damage  done  to  the 
crops.  Our  new  methods  of  farming  have  made  us  practically  inde- 
pendent of  the  mid-summer  drouths,  and  the  cotton  speculators  who 
are  counting  on  a  short  crop  because  of  dry  weather  are  going  to  be 
badly  stung. 

"Cotton  has  never  looked  better  than  this  year  in  all  the  Southern 
States  in  which  I  have  been,  and  the  weather  has  never  been  so  dry. 
Under  old  methods  of  planting  the  crop  would  have  been  almost  a  total 
failure.  But  now  it  does  not  show  any  damage  at  all.  The  Southern 
farmer  is  taking  up  new  methods,  and  already  he  is  beating  the  big 
yields  once  reported  from  Northern  farms.  This  fall  hundreds  of 
old  farms  will  be  dynamited  and  next  year  they  will  raise  immense 
crops  of  corn  and  cotton.  It  costs  money,  but  we  are  getting  it  back 
and  have  never  been  so  prosperous."    ( See  page  87.) 

95 


FIG.  76.— COBB'S  COTTON,  191 1— NOT  SUBSOILED 


FIG.  77-— COBB'S  COTTON,  191 1— SUBSOILED 


Dynamiting  Subsoil  of  Cotton  Field  Doubles  Crop 

Walhalla,  S.  C,  August  5,  1911. 

Gentlemen :  I  wish  to  tell  you  about  my  experience  of  using  dynamite  on 
part  of  a  field  of  cotton.  The  size  of  the  plot  was  thirty  feet  by  ninety  feet.  The 
soil  of  the  whole  cotton  field  was  given  the  usual  cultivation  before  sowing  the 
seed.  I  am  very  greatly  pleased  to  say  that  the  small  plot  of  dynamited  soil  has 
shown  a  better  crop,  in  fact  the  yield  from  this  dynamited  soil  will  be,  in  my  judg- 
ment, between  800  and  1,000  pounds  per  acre,  or  more  than  twice  as  many  pounds 
of  seed  cotton  as  will  be  picked  from  the  same  size  of  plot  adjoining  the  dynamited 
plot. 

The  success  of  this  tested  plot  is  so  assured  that  I  am  going  to  use  dynarnite 
on  thirty  to  sixty  acres  of  land  now  growing  good  crops.  I  feel  that  dynamiting 
the  subsoil  of  these  acres  is  going  to  result  in  greater  crops.  I  figure  that  I  can 
do  this  at  a  cost  of  four  or  five  dollars  an  acre.  In  dry  soil  I  use  a  quarter  of  a 
dynamite  cartridge  in  holes  placed  fifteen  feet  from  each  other.  This  takes  forty- 
nine  sticks  of  cartridges  of  dynamite  to  the  acre,  approximately  twenty-five  pounds. 
My  test  of  dynamiting  the  cotton  plot  was  the  means  of  showing  me  how  I  can 
make  my  acres  grow  bigger,  better  and  more  valuable  crops  at  small  cost  and 
increase  the  fertility  of  my  farm. 

W.  R.  COBB, 
Steward  Oconee  County  Poor  Farm. 

96 


FIG.  78.— COBB'S  COTTON,  1912— NOT  SUBSOILED 


FIG.  79.— COBB'S  COTTON,  1912— SUBSOILED 

Under  date  of  Sept.  14,  1912,  Mr.  Cobb  wrote  that  the  1911  crop  on  the  sub- 
soiled  plot  yielded  1,500  lbs.  per  acre  as  compared  with  800  lbs.  yield  per  acre  of 
the  unsubsoiled  portion,  and  that  the  1912  crop  would  probably  be  still  better  on 
the'subsoiled  plot.  Both  plots  received  the  same  cultivation  and  the  usual  fertiliza- 
tion with  stable  manure  and  guano. 


97 


Another  Big  Yield  of  Cotton 

Eatonton,  Ga.,  September  21,  191 1. 

Regarding  the  dynamited  field  of  cotton  of  J.  G.  Spivey: 

Mr.  Spivey  told  us  last  week  that  he  picked  two  and  one-quarter  bales  of  cotton  off  of  the 
one  and  three-quarters  acres  of  dynamited  land  the  first  picking  and  says  he  will  get  five  bales 
from  this  piece  of  land  when  he  finishes. 

This  cotton  has  been  the  talk  of  the  country,  and  a  great  number  of  people  have  visited  this 
particular  spot.  We  are  sure  it  is  going  to  do  your  Company  a  great  deal  of  good  in  the  sale 
of  dynamite. 

One  of  the  pictures  shows  dynamited  cotton  on  one  side  of  the  road  and  cotton  where 
dynamite  was  not  used  on  the  other,  it  does  not  do  full  justice,  as  the  cotton  dynamited  is 
about  five  or  six  times  as  good,  both  in  size  and  fruitage,  as  that  which  was  not  dynamited. 
No  one  can  well  conceive  the  difference  unless  they  were  on  the  ground  like  the  writer  was 
some  thirty  days  ago.  HEARN  &  GREEN  HDWE.  CO. 


FIG.  80.— SPIVEY  IN  HIS  2^  BALE  PER  ACRE  COTTON 

98 


Red  Cross  Dynamite  Increased  Cotton  Yield  150% 

"Thirty-five  dollars'  worth  of  Du  Font's  Red  Cross  Dynamite  resulted 
this  year  in  an  increased  cotton  yield  of  150  percent. 

Latid  that  never  before  had  produced  over  one  bale  to  the  acre  has  this 
year  yielded  two  and  one-half  bales  of  500  pounds  each.  Other  lands  lying 
immediately  alongside  the  dynamited  land,  and  which  were  treated  the  same  in 
every  particular  save  dynamiting,  made  only  one  bale  to  the  acre;  while  still 
other  land  removed  only  the  width  of  a  plantation  roadway  from  the  dyna- 
mited field  yielded  less  than  one-half  bale  to  the  acre. 

The  above  highly  profitable  cotton-growing  experience  was  realized  this 
year  on  the  plantation  of  Mr.  J.  G.  Spivey,  near  Eatonton,  Ga.,  and  has  been 
witnessed  throughout  the  year  by  hundreds  of  interested  citizens  of  Putnam 
County. 

The  land  is  a  red,  sticky  soil,  located  on  the  summit  of  a  ridge  not  less 
than  one-quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  nearest  running  water  of  any  kind. 
Heretofore  the  average  crop  has  been  less  than  one-half  bale.  This  year 
the  splendid  yield  of  two  and  one-half  bales  has  been  realized;  and  that,  too, 
when  at  least  enough  bolls  to  make  a  half  bale  dropped  off  during  some  cool 
nights  in  July.     To  Du  Font's  Red  Cross  Dynamite  is  due  the  credit. 

That  dynamiting  is  the  direct  cause  of  the  increased  yield  is  evident  from  the 
fact  that  on  all  lands  not  dynamited,  yet  prepared  and  cultivated  in  exactly  the 
same  way  as  the  dynamited  land  save  in  this  one  particular,  the  usual  yield  of 
only  one  bale  was  made,  while  the  dynamited  field  gave  two  and  one-half  bales 
to  the  acre. 

When  the  land  had  been  disced  and  subsoiled,  it  was  laid  off  in  six-foot 
checks.  At  each  check  was  placed  a  charge  of  Du  Font's  Red  Cross  Dynamite.* 
The  blasting  broke  and  tore  the  land  thoroughly  to  the  depth  of  from  three  to 
five  feet  through  subsoil  and  hardpan.  The  ground  was  again  disced  and  har- 
rowed, then  allowed   to  stand   till  planting. 

Cleveland  big  boll  variety  of  cotton  was  used,  being  planted  in  three 
and  one-half  foot  checks,  and  thinned  to  two  stalks  in  a  hill.  A  perfect  stand 
was  secured,  and  the  crop  grew  rapidly.  Beginning  in  early  June  and  lasting 
for  seven  weeks  a  severe  drouth  came  upon  the  cotton  at  its  most  critical 
time.  Cotton  on  undynamited  land  lying  immediately  alongside  the  dynamited 
field  stopped  growing  and  also  wilted.  Dynamited  cotton  suffered  no  delay  what- 
ever, no  wilting  or  other  evidences  of  injury.  In  August  a  long-continued  rainy 
season  caused  a  much  too  rapid  growth  and  fruiting  of  undynamited  cotton,  with 
a  consequent  heavy  falling  off  of  squares.  This  was  not  experienced  in  the 
Spivey  dynamited  field. 

Long  after  other  cotton  had  ceased  to  grow  this  dynamited  cotton  con- 
tinued to  spread  out  and  to  fruit,  and  even  to  this  day,  the  25th  of  October, 
it  has  a  large  number  of  new  blooms  upon  it,  while  other  crops  shown  in  the 
photographs  are  dead  and  the  entire  crop  made  and  gathered.  During  the 
year  the  dynamited  cotton  has  not  suffered  a  day  from  worms  or  blight  of  any 
kind.  The  average  height  of  dynamited  stalks  was  five  feet,  while  that  not 
dynamited  ranged  from  eighteen  to  thirty  inches.  Dynamited  cotton  fruited 
very  heavily  and  thoroughly.  In  hills  of  two  stalks  255  bolls  were  counted, 
while  in  hills  of  one  stalk  158  bolls  were  to  be  seen. 

This  field  of  dynamited  cotton  has  been  the  sensation  of  Futnam  county's 
farming  circles  this  year.  Many  visitors  have  gone  out  to  witness  this  modern 
method  of  farming,  and  every  one  confesses  it  to  be  the  finest  field  of  cotton 
ever  g^own  in  Futnam  county." 


•  The  writer  of  the  above  states  that  Mr.  Spivey's  land  was  laid  off  in  six-foot  checks 
and  that  at  each  check  a  charge  of  dynamite  was  exploded.  Unless  the  subsoil  on  this 
plantation  was  exceptionally  hard,  more  dynamite  was  used  and  more  work  done  on  this 
subsoil  than  was  necessary.  Ordinarily,  placing  charges  at  the  corners  of  15  foot  squares 
as  explained  above  is  entirely  lufficient.  Another  point  to  bear  in  mind  is  that  blasting  with 
dynamite  is  not  necessary  every  year,  as  the  effect  endures  many  years  when  the  work  is 
properly  done.  So  that  cost  can  be  distributed  over,  at  least,  five  crops,  thus  greatly  reducing 
cost  of  cultivation  per  crop. 

99 


FIG  8i.— COTTON  NOT  SUBSOILED,  DEMONSTRATION  FARM  OF  INTERNA- 
TIONAL HARVESTER  CO.,  BROOKHAVEN,  MISS.     SEE  PAGE   104 


FIG.  82.— COTTON  SUBSOILED  WITH   RED  CROSS   EXTRA  DYNAMITE, 
SAME  FARM.     SEE  PAGE   104 

100 


Remarkable  Results  Achieved  on  Rarr^  Ground  by 

Dynamiting  Subsoil  on  Farm  of  Agwultwjptl; 

Experimental  Station,  Clarksville,  Tenn. 


(See  cut  on  page  76) 


Under  date  of  August  16,  1911,  Mr.  S.  L.  Smith,  Superintendent 
of  City  Schools,  Clarksville,  Tenn.,  writes  as  follows  regarding  "Sub- 
soiling  with  dynamite" : 

"During  December,  1910,  I  strbsoiled  one  acre  of  ground  on  the 
Experiment  Farm  here  which  is  run  under  the  direction  of  the 
Agricultural  Department  of  the  joint  High  Schools,  which  ground 
before  that  time  had  produced  nothing  for  several  years.  It  was 
'worn-out'  land.  This  subsoiling  cost  about  $12.00  per  acre,  but  as 
compared  with  the  excellent  results  obtained,  I  consider  that  it  has 
paid  us  well. 

"The  corn  shown  on  the  left  of  the  photograph  which  I  sent  you 
is  on  the  dynamited  ground.  That  on  the  right  of  the  same  photo- 
graph represents  corn  planted  and  cultivated  in  the  ordinary  way  with- 
out any  scientific  methods — no  subsoiling.  No  fertilizer  used  on  either 
the  subsoiled  or  unsubsoiled  ground,  but  well  cultivated.  Otherwise, 
the  land  not  subsoiled  was  considered  better  than  that  subsoiled. 

"Both  acres  were  planted  the  same  day  and  the  subsoiled  land 
will  yield  possibly  three  times  as  much  as  that  not  subsoiled.  In 
fact,  it  is  the  best  corn  in  the  county,  and  all  the  farmers  of  the 
county  who  have  seen  it  realize  there  is  something  in  scientific  farm- 
ing. We  selected  the  poorest  land  we  could  find,  and  it  is  my  inten- 
tion to  subsoil  more  ground^this  fall." 


A  Director  of  Agriculture  Convinced 

Sacramento  Valley  Irrigation  Company. 

During  the  past  week  your  Messrs.  Jones  and  Doremus  have  given  the 
farmers  of  Glenn  County  a  very  fine  demonstration  of  the  use  of  dynamite 
in   farming. 

There  is  no  question  but  that  hundreds  of  pounds  of  your  Red  Cross 
Dynamite  will  be  used  here  during  the  next  year  as  a  result  of  the  work  of  your 
representatives. 

While  there  is  no  hardpan  through  this  section  of  the  west  side  of  the 
Sacramento  Valley,  the  loosening  up  of  a  big  body  of  soil  in  land  where 
trees  are  to  be  planted  will  give  the  tree  roots  a  perfect  environment  for 
growth  and  development,  and  be  of  great  value.  The  opening  up  of  lands 
that  have  been  pastured  when  wet  and  otherwise  abused  will  be  accom- 
plished by  the  use  of  dynamite  in  a  very  effective  manner.  Your  work  here 
is  appreciated.  W.  S.  GUILFORD, 

Director  of  Agriculture. 

101 


Duration  '6f:  Subsoiling  With  Red  Cross  Dynamite 

•  Tterp^ibKcity  giyen  to  these  astonishing  results  which  point  to  a 
revolution  in  farmmg 'methods,  has  naturally  created  much  inquiry  in 
the  minds  of  the  farmers  as  to  the  cost  of  subsoiling  and  the  length 
of  time  before  subsoiled  land  will  have  to  be  again  subsoiled  in  order 
to  keep  it  open. 

The  cost  averages  about  $15.00  an  acre,  including  dynamite,  blasting 
caps,  fuse  and  the  labor  of  making  the  holes  and  doing  the  blasting.  In 
most  cases  the  cost  is  recovered  within  the  year,  out  of  the  increased 
yield,  but  in  other  cases  where  the  increased  yield  would  not  be 
worth  more  than  $15.00  an  acre,  it  is  important  to  know  how  long  this 
increased  production  is  going  to  keep  up  so  as  to  justify  the  expense. 

Let  us  first  consider  the  matter  from  a  theoretical  point  of  view. 

One  of  the  first  uses  of  dynamite  for  subsoiling  was  in  tree  plant- 
ing. Twenty-one  years  ago  W.  R.  Gunnis  planted  an  orchard  with 
dynamite  at  La  Mesa,  Cal.  This  orchard  matured  more  rapidly  than 
orchards  set  out  with  a  spade,  resisting  drouth  and  other  unfavorable 
conditions  with  marked  success,  and  although  the  tract  has  been  sub- 
divided and  used  as  a  residence  property,  some  of  the  trees  are  still 
thriving  and  for  years  this  orchard  was  recognized  as  the  most  pro- 
ductive and  best  appearing  in  the  neighborhood. 

W.  W.  Stevens,  Orchardist,  Mayfield,  Ga.,  planted  trees  with  dyna- 
mite eighteen  or  twenty  years  ago.    He  says : 

"They  are  the  finest  trees  I  have  ever  seen  grow  for  their  age.  In  the 
planting  of  peach  trees  I  gained  two  years  in  six;  in  other  words,  I  got  as 
much  fruit  from  a  tree  planted  with  dynamite  at  four  years  old  as  we  usually 
get  at  six  years  old.  I  not  only  plant  them  with  it,  but  where  a  tree  is  failing 
and  seems  to  be  on  the  decline,  I  start  it  off  to  growing  again  by  firing  charges 
from  three  to  ten  feet  apart.  Nothing  seems  to  tickle  the  earth  so  much  as 
planting  watermelons  after  explosion  of  dynamite  from  three  to  four  feet 
under  ground." 

Mr.  James  Craig,  President  of  the  Rose  Cliflf  Farm,  Waynesboro, 
Va.,  began  planting  trees  with  dynamite  nine  years  ago.  He  writes 
under  date  November  15,  1911 — 

"I  should  think  from  the  thoroughness  of  the  work  done  by  dynamite  that 
it  will  last  fifteen  or  twenty  years  without  question." 

Mr.  Craig  plants  all  his  trees  with  dynamite. 

Mr.  Arthur  E.  Cole,  Proprietor  of  High  Point  Farm,  a  small-fruit 
nursery  at  Chamblee,  Ga.,  writes  as  follows  under  date  of  November 
17,  1911— 

"About  eight  years  ago  the  New  Roswell  Road  was  graded.  In  the  cut 
through  the  steep  hill  just  south  of  Nancy  Creek,  between  the  eight  and  nine- 
mile  post  (from  Atlanta),  much  blasting  was  done,  A  vigorous  growth  of 
clover  and  young  sycamore  trees  immediately  sprang  up  on  the  roadside  where 
this  blasting  was  done.  The  clover  seed  found  their  own  way  from  the  hay 
where  the  mules  were  fed,  into  the  porous  soil  where  the  dynamite  was  used. 
A  good  stand  has  appeared  each  succeeding  year  without  any  cultivation.  Notic- 
ing this  I  began  to  observe  rock  quarries  and  other  places  where  explosives  had 
been  used,  and  found  similar  conditions  prevailing.  Wherever  the  ground  has 
been  broken  with  dynamite  a  perfect  system  of  subsoiling  results.  Cut  a 
cake  of  butter  with  a  sharp  knife;  the  cut  surface  is  left  hard  and  smooth. 
Just  so  in  subsoiling  with  a  plow.     It  rains,  the  water  soaks  through  topsoil 

102 


and  then  follows  the  course  of  the  plow,  soaking  no  further.  But  in  sub- 
soiling  with  dynamite  exactly  the  opposite  condition  prevails.  The  ground  is 
'heaved/  shaken  and  broken  many  feet  deep,  and  is  left  so  open  and  porous 
that  all  the  rainfall  is  absorbed  and  retained.  This  is  given  back  as  growing 
crops  demand.  Subsoiling  with  Du  Pont  Red  Cross  Dynamite  has  now  become 
a  common  practice  with  farmers  and  orchardists.  This  process  has  the  double 
advantage  of  irrigating  and  draining  both  at  one  time.  Each  place  where  a 
cartridge  is  discharged  becomes  an  underground  reservoir,  and  if  thus  broken 
in  squares  of  ten  to  fourteen  feet,  with  one-third  to  one-half  stick  of  Red  Cross 
20  per  cent.,  the  ground  will  be  sufficiently  broken  for  drainage  from  hole  to  hole 
as  a  result.  Perhaps  the  most  valuable  feature  of  subsoiling  with  dynamite  is 
the  lasting  effects.  Modern  machinery  can  plow  our  ground  very  fast,  but 
the  work  is  not  permanent,  while  in  dynamited  land  the  good  effects  are 
underneath  and  not  affected  by  sun  or  wind  and  the  porous  condition  remains 
for  years.  Of  course  the  length  of  time  varies  with  different  soils  and  different 
crops  and  different  modes  of  cultivation — limestone  soil  remaining  open  longest.  . 
Once  the  land  is  well  subsoiled  with  dynamite  and  leguminous  crops,  peas, 
alfalfa,  clover  or  rye  are  sown,  thus  feeding  nitrogen  deep  into  the  soil  from 
the  air  through  the  roots,  a  porous  subsoil  may  JDe  expected  for  from  three  to 
four  years  from  one  dynamiting.  Of  course  it  is  not  necessary  to  keep  these 
particular  crops  growing  continuously,  but  a  good  idea  is  to  rotate,  using  one  of 
them  every  second  or  third  year.  Last  spring  I  dynamited  some  tree  holes  on 
my  place,  spaced  about  twenty-five  feet.  About  mid-summer  when  everything 
was  dry  as  a  crisp  from  severe  drought  I  decided  to  plant  vegetables  in  the 
same  rows  with  the  young  trees,  between  these  dynamited  holes.  It  was  a  test 
case  and  no  cultivation  was  given,  except  one  hoeing.  .The  results  were  wonder- 
ful. I  not  only  had  vegetables,  but  they  continued  to  bear  till  frost.  It  is 
evident  that  in  the  clay  belt  of  middle  Georgia,  progressive  farmers  will  all 
of  them  soon  resort  to  subsoiling  with  dynamite.  It  is  faster,  more  simple,  less 
expensive  and  far  less  dangerous  than  often  supposed  to  be.  The  public  is 
invited  to  come  at  any  time  and  see  my  apple  trees,  one  year  old,  that  have  put 
on  new  growth  of  from  five  to  seven  feet  in  one  year.  They  were  planted  last 
spring  (consider  the  dry  vear),  in  holes  blasted  with  half  stick  of  Du  Pont 
Dynamite." 

J.  H.  Baird,  Supt.  of  the  famous  Hale  Georgia  Orchard  Com- 
pany, Fort  Valley,  Ga.,  operating  the  largest  peach  orchard  in  the 
world,  writes  under  date  of  November  16,  1911. 

"We  have  been  subsoiling  with  dynamite  for  tree  planting  for  three  years; 
the  results  have  been  very  satisfactory  indeed.  Just  how  long  the  benefit  of 
breaking  this  hardpan  will  last  is  a  problem.  Our  first  dynamiting  three  years 
ago  shows  up  splendidly  on  our  trees  and  up  to  this  time  they  are  much  in 
advance  of  those  not  dynamited.  I  should  think  at  least  one  year.  I  believe  the 
results  in  subsoiling  in  this  manner  will  last  eight  to  ten  years,  and  it  is  my  in- 
tention now  to  use  dynamite  in  our  old  orchards  at  their  very  first  appearance 
of  'going  back.'  I  am  sorry  that  I  cannot  give  you  more  information  on  this 
line,  but  my  experience  with  dynamite,  as  stated  above,  is  only  three  years  old. 
All  agriculturists  know  that  in  order  to  get  gi  eater  yields  the  land  has  to  be 
broken  deeply  and  the  new  way  of  doing  things  is  to  cultivate  less  land  and 
grow  more  per  acre.    Will  certainly  bring  your  product  more  in  use  each  year." 

See  also  pages  87  and  97. 

Increased  Wheat  Yield  25% 

Extract  from  letter  of  Mr.  D,  A.  Beamer,  manager,  Missouri  Immigration 
Association,  Lamar,  Mo.,  dated  August  2,  1911  : 

"The  writer,  on  his  own  account,  dynamited  about  three  acres  two  years 
ago.  The  present  season  it  carried  a  crop  of  wheat  which  was  sown  last  fall. 
This  three  acres  was  part  of  a  ten-acre  field,  and  was  decidedly  the  wettest  and 
least  productive  part  prior  to  the  dynamiting. 

"The  wheat  on  this  dynamited  ground  was  treated  exactly  like  the  balance 
of  the  ten  acres  of  which  it  is  a  part,  and  the  wheat  on  the  dynamited  portion 
was  at  least  25  per  cent,  better  than  the  balance  on  the  ten-acre  plot. 

"As  a  result  of  my  experience,  1  will  subsoil  ten  acres  of  land  this  fall 
because  the  very  first  crop  taken  from  the  above  three  acres  has  shown  a  good 
profit  on  the  cost  of  subsoiling." 

103 


Subsoiling  a  Success  on  I.  H.  C.  Demonstration  Farm 

International  Harvester  Company  of  America. 

W.  K.  Wood,  Manager.  W.  A.  Renn,  Superintendent. 

Brookhaven,  Miss.,  September  11,  1912. 

Du  Pont  Powder  Co.,  Wilmington,  Del. 

Gentlemen. — As  requested  I  am  sending  under  separate  cover  four  views,  one 
each  of  cotton  and  corn,  not  subsoiled  and  one  of  each  subsoiled. 

You  will  note  the  great  difference,  and  we  will  subsoil  more  extensively  the 
coming  year. 

Yours  truly, 

W.  A.  RENN. 


Subsoiling  a  Success  in  Europe 

February  13,  1912. 

I  thought  you  might  be  interested  to  know  that  while  a  student  at  the  Tokay 
Agricultural  School  at  Tokay,  Austria-Hungary,  I  subsoiled  three  acres  of 
ground  with  dynamite  prior  to  planting  grape  vines.  The  ground  was  in  a 
very  steep  hillside  and  practically  covered  with  shale  rock.  The  dynamite  broke 
up  the  ground  and  made  it  porous,  and  it  is  conservative  to  say  that  the  vines 
planted  in  this  way  produced  50  per  cent,  more  than  those  adjacent  planted  in  the 
ordinary  way. 

Yours   truly, 

ALEX  RICHTER. 

Highland,  Arkansas. 


The  Best  Time  to  Subsoil 

Subsoiling  with  Red  Cross  Dynamite  should  be  done  only  w^hen 
the  soil  is  dry — preferably  immediately  after  harvest.  Wheat  or  other 
cereal  crops  are  usually  harvested  early  in  summer.  The  field  may 
then  be  subsoiled  under  ideal  conditions  in  July  or  August.  Ground 
bearing  corn,  potatoes,  hops,  or  other  late  maturing  crops,  should  be 
subsoiled  in  September,  October  or  November — as  soon  as  the  crop  is 
off.  Spring  subsoiling  is  not  advisable  unless  the  soil  is  quite  dry 
and  when  good  rains  may  be  expected  soon  after. 


Get  What  You  Pay  For 

The  strength  of  all  Du  Pont  dynamites  is  shown  on  the  cartridges 
and  cases  with  the  exception  of  our  Permissible  Explosives  and  ex- 
plosives having  strengths  of  20  per  cent,  or  less.  We  guarantee  the 
strength  marking  on  cartridges  and  cases  to  be  correct. 

Anyone  using  dynamite  the  strength  of  which  is  not  marked 
is  probably  getting  less  than  the  represented  strength  and  is  therefore 
paying  too  high  a  price  for  what  he  buys.  Inferior  goods,  you  know, 
can  be  sold  at  lower  prices  than  standard  manufactures. 

104 


How  TO  Transport, 
Store,  and 

Use 

♦  RED  CROSS  + 
DYNAMITE 


DO  NOT  TRY  TO 
USE  DYNAMITE 
UNTIL  YOU  HAVE 
CAREFULLY  READ 
THIS    SECTION 


FIG.  83 


FIG.  84 


FIG.  8s 


TABLE   SHOWING  THE  AGRICULTURAL  WORK   IN   WHICH   THE 

USE    OF    DYNAMITE    WILL    SAVE    MONEY    AND    TIME, 

AND    THE    MOST    SUITABLE    BRAND    AND 

STRENGTH   OF   DYNMITE    FOR   IT. 


Kind  of  Work. 


Brand  and  Strength  of  Explosive. 


Boulder  Blasting 

Cellar  and    Foundation    Ex- 
cavating   

Ditching 

Fruit  Tree  Planting  and  Cul- 
tivating   

Hardpan  or  Subsoil  Blasting 
Log  Splitting 

Log  or   Ice  Jam   Starting. . 
Pole  or  Post  Hole  Digging 

Road  Grading  

Swamp  Draining  

Stump  Blasting  

Tree  Felling 

Well  Sinking  


Red  Cross  Extra  Dynamite  40%  to  60%  strength 


Red  Cross  Extra  Dynamite  20%  to  40% 
Red  Cross  Extra  Dynamite  20%  to  40% 
Du  Pont  N.  G.  Dynamite  60%  strength 


Red  Cross  Extra 
Red  Cross  Extra 
•Red  Cross  Extra 
Du  Pont  Blasting 
Red  Cross  Extra 
Red  Cross  Extra 
Red  Cross  Extra 
Red  Cross  Extra 
Red  Cross  Extra 
Red  Cross  Extra 
Red  Cross  Extra 


Dynamite  20% 
Dynamite  20%  to  40% 
Dynamite  20% 
Powder 
Dynamite  40% 
Dynamite  40% 
Dynamite  20%  to  ^10% 
Dynamite  40% 
Dynamite  40% 
Dynamite  40% 
Dynamite  40% 


strength 
strength 


strength 
strength 
strength 

strength 
strength 
strength 
strength 
strength 
strength 
strength 


106 


Explosives 

Explosives  are  solids  or  liquids  which  can  be  changed  almost  in- 
stantaneously by  a  spark,  great  heat  or  powerful  shock  into  gases  having 
many  times  the  volume  of  the  explosive  in  its  original  form.  Coal  and 
wood  are  changed  slowly  into  large  volumes  of  gas  by  burning ;  water  is 
changed  into  a  large  volume  of  gas  (steam)  by  heating  it.  This  is  the 
whole  theory  of  explosives  and  much  in  their  use,  which  would  otherwise 
seem  difficult  to  explain,  is  easily  understood  if  this  theory  be  borne  in 
mind. 

Blasting  explosives  are  divided  into  two  classes,  namely:  High 
Explosives  and  Low  Explosives.  High  Explosives  are  more  commonly 
known  as  "  dynamite,"  including  all  of  those  explosives  which  can  be 
properly  detonated  only  by  means  of  an  intermediate  agent  such  as  a 
blasting  cap  or  electric  fuze  and  not  by  simple  ignition.  Blasting  powders 
are  classified  as  low  explosives  and  are  exploded  by  a  spark. 

Blasting  Powder 

Blasting  Powder  is  black  and  is  produced  in  granulations  or  grains 
of  various  sizes.  It  is  packed  in  bulk  in  steel  kegs  containing  twenty-five 
pounds.  Although  it  is  invaluable  for  many  kinds  of  coal  mine,  quarry 
and  general  excavating,  it  is  not  generally  applicable  to  any  blasting 
about  the  farm  except  for  splitting  logs  as  described  on  page  137. 

Dynamite 

Dynamite  diflFers  from  blasting  powder  in  that  it  detonates  with 
much  greater  rapidity  and  has  a  greater  shattering  effect.  The  most 
important  properties  which  contribute  to  the  effect  of  dynamite  are 
strength  or  disruptive  power  and  quickness  or  shattering  pozver.  The 
other  principal  factors  in  the  usefulness  of  dynamite  are  its  stability  or 
keeping  qualities  and  such  qualities  as  may  tend  to  make  it  safer  to 
handle.  These  essentials  can  only  be  secured  and  maintained  by  the 
employment  of  the  highest  quality  of  ingredients,  greatest  care  and 
attention,  expensive  and  complicated  machinery,  skillful  labor  and  super- 
vision, long  experience,  and  continued  tests.  The  Du  Pont  Company 
fulfills  all  of  these  requirements.  It  has  been  engaged  in  the  explosive 
manufacturing  business  since  1802,  has  factories  in  all  parts  of  the  United 
States  and  no  other  manufacturing  concern  in  this  country  maintains  a 
greater  number  of  technical  chemists  than  are  engaged  at  the  Du  Pont 
laboratories,  who  test  daily  the  output  of  the  factories  to  prevent  devia- 
tion from  standards,  and  constantly  study  and  experiment  with  explo- 
sives in  order  to  improve  them. 

Furthermore,  a  corps  of  experts  in  the  use  of  explosives  is  main- 
tained, not  only  to  study  the  exact  requirements  of  explosives  in  the 
various  fields  and  differing  conditions,  but  to  demonstrate  their  qualities, 
action  and  method  of  using  them. 

The  Du  Pont  Company  manufactures  numerous  kinds  of  dynamite, 
each  having  some  particular  property  which  makes  it  different  from  any 
other  kind.  Almost  every  kind  is  made  in  different  strengths.  Some 
kinds  will  burn  if  a  spark  falls  on  them  and  all  kinds  can  be  burned  if 
put  in  a  fire.  Don't,  therefore,  leave  dynamite  where  it  can  he  ignited 
any  way,  because,  when  hot  it  is  very  sensitive  and  often  explodes. 

107 


Red  Cross  Dynamite,  the  Agricultural  Explosive 

The  Du  Pont  Company  manufactures  a  special  brand  which  is  named 
"  Red  Cross  Extra  Dynamite,"  and  is  especially  adapted  to  farming 
purposes.  It  is  a  mixture  of  nitroglycerin  and  other  explosives  with  an 
absorbent  which  renders  the  compound  less  sensitive  to  shock  and  more 
safely  used  and  transported  than  ordinary  dynamite. 

Red  Cross  Dynamite  explodes  with  great  power,  shattering  or  ex- 
cavating anything  which  is  in  the  immediate  vicinity.  Its  general  appear- 
ance and  consistency  is  similar  to  damp  sawdust,  and  it  is  placed  on  the 
market  in  paper-covered  cartridges  8  inches  long  and  of  different 
diameters,  the  standard  being  lj4  inches.  The  cartridges  are  packed  in 
cases  containing  25  pounds  or  50  pounds. 


Safe  Handling  of  Dynamite 

There  is  a  popular  misconception  of  dynamite  in  the  public  mind. 
Newspapers  in  reporting  outrages  such  as  bomb  throwing  by  anar- 
chists, safe  cracking  "jobs"  by  burglars,  etc.,  incorrectly  report  them 
as  perpetrated  with  "Dynamite."  The  result  is  an  erroneous,  wide- 
spread impression  that  a  dynamite  cartridge  will  explode  if  dropped 
on  the  ground  or  thrown  against  the  body  of  a  person. 

As  a  matter  of  fact,  safe  breakers  and  bomb  throwers  do  not  use 
dynamite  cartridges  at  all ;  they  would  not  be  suitable  for  their  purpose 
because  it  is  so  difficult  to  explode  them.  What  these  criminals  use  as 
a  rule  is  nitro-glycerin.  This  dangerous  explosive  is  used  commercially 
for  shooting  oil  wells,  etc. 

True  there  is  a  certain  proportion  of  nitro-glycerin  in  dynamite 
cartridges,  but  the  dangerous  explosive  is  scientifically  compounded 
with  wood  meal  and  some  other  ingredients  in  such  a  way  that  it  can 
be  absolutely  depended  upon  not  to  explode  accidentally  if  our  simple 
and  plain  instructions  for  its  use  are  complied  with. 

One  of  the  safest  of  explosives  manufactured  by  the  Du  Pont 
Powder  Company  is  Red  Cross  Extra  Dynamite,  which  is  especially 
recommended  for  agricultural  purposes.  This  brand  of  dynamite,  in 
practice,  is  detonated  by  the  powerful  shock  of  an  exploding  blasting 
cap  or  electric  fuze,  the  strongest  cap  or  fuze  being  necessary  because 
this  dynamite  is  so  insensitive. 

Responsible  people  can  use  and  handle  dynamite  just  as  safely  as 
they  can  handle  gasoline,  matches,  or  coal  oil.  The  energy  of  dyna- 
mite can  be  directed  in  the  work  to  which  it  is  adapted  as  well  as 
the  energy  of  steam  can  be  directed  in  the  work  for  which  it  is  used. 


Prompt  Removal  From  Freight  Station 

The  law  requires  prompt  removal  of  all  high  explosives  from  freight 
stations.  Hence  farmers  expecting  shipment  of  dynamite  or  blasting 
caps  should  arrange  with  the  freight  agent  or  station  master  to  notify 
them  immediately  on  arrival  of  shipment,  which  should  be  removed 
within  24  hours. 

108 


Hauling 

When  transporting  explosives  by  team  always  keep  the  wagon  boxes 
thoroughly  swept  out,  and  when  using  an  open  wagon  protect  the  load 
from  sparks,  rain,  etc.,  with  a  canvas  covering.  Store  the  cases  of 
explosives  so  that  they  will  not  shift  and  never  haul  detonators  and 
explosives  together. 

Handling  and  Storing 

When  dynamite  is  handled  with  bare  hands,  it  nearly  always  causes 
a  headache.  Old  gloves  should  therefore  always  be  worn  when  using  it, 
and  they  should  be  destroyed  and  clean  ones  provided,  before  they  become 
damp  and  sticky.  A  pair  of  gloves  will  remain  in  good  condition  for  a 
long  time  if  the  dynamite  is  handled  carefully. 

Du  Pont  Red  Cross  Dynamite  is  not  so  sensitive- to  shock  that  it  is 
likely  to  explode  from  a  slight  jar.  It  is  made  just  as  insensitive  as  is 
practicable  so  that  it  is  much  safer  to  handle  and  use  than  ordinary  dyna- 
mite, and  this  is  why  a  strong  detonator  is  necessary  to  explode  it 
properly.  Nevertheless  it  should  be  handled  sensibly  and  carefully  and 
only  by  responsible  persons. 

Dynamite  and  detonators  should  not  be  hauled  together  from  the 
dealer's  or  the  railroad  station.  The  detonators  do  not  weigh  much, 
and  can  be  brought  along  on  some  other  trip.  If  blasting  caps  are 
purchased  from  a  dealer  in  the  tin  boxes  separate  from  the  wooden 
shipping  case,  it  is  a  good  plan  to  put  these  boxes  in  a  basket  or  wooden 
box  with  a  horse  blanket,  coat,  hay  or  anything  else  that  would  keep 
them  from  being  roughly  jarred  and  shaken  on  the  way  home.  As  soon 
as  explosives  are  received  they  should  be  stored  in  a  dry,  properly  venti- 
lated building,  which  will  not* be  likely  to  be  set  on  fire  or  shot  into,  and 
far  enough  away  from  dwellings  or  roads  to  prevent  loss  of  life  if  they 
were  to  be  exploded  accidentally.  They  should  be  kept  under  lock  and 
key  and  where  children  or  irresponsible  persons  cannot  get  at  them.  If 
large  quantities  are  to  be  stored  for  some  time,  a  dry,  well-ventilated, 
fire-proof  and  bullet-proof  magazine,  located  in  an  out  of  the  way  place 
should  be  provided.  Fuse,  wire,  thawing  kettles  and  blasting  machines 
may  be  stored  in  the  same  building  with  the  dynamite,  but  blasting  caps 
and  electric  fuzes  mtist  never  be  stored  in  the  same  building,  because  they 
are  more  easily  exploded  than  dynamite,  and  it  would  be  possible  to 
explode  them  accidentally  by  a  hard  shock  or  jar  which  would  hot 
explode  dynamite.  If  detonators  were  to  explode  by  themselves,  they 
would  be  unlikely  to  do  much  damage  unless  there  were  a  great  many  of 
them,  but  if  they  were  to  explode  in  the  same  room  with  dynamite, 
they  would  probably  cause  the  dynamite  to  explode  too,  and  this  might 
do  very  serious  damage. 

109 


Opening  Cases 

When  ready  to  use  the  dynamite,  open  the  box  or  case  with  a  hard- 
wood wedge  and  a  mallet,  and  take  to  the  work,  in  a  dry  box  or  pail,  the 
number  of  cartridges  required  immediately.  Never  take  more  than  the 
day's  supply  even  in  warm  weather,  and  in  cold  weather,  take  only  what 
can  be  kept  thawed  until  it  is  to  be  used,  unless  there  are  arrangements 
for  keeping  it  thawed  where  the  blasting  is  to  be  done.  Let  somebody 
else  carry  the  tamping  stick,  fuse,  and  detonators,  to  the  work.  As  soon 
as  holes  are  ready  for  the  dynamite — and  when  possible  the  holes  should 
all  be  ready  before  the  dynamite  is  brought  to  the  work — the  priming, 
charging,  tamping  and  firing  should  be  carried  on  as  rapidly  as  possible 
without  becoming  careless. 

A  very  little  practice  will  put  you  in  the  way  of  doing  blasting 
quickly,  systematically  and  economically,  and  you  will  wonder  how  you 
ever  got  along  without  dynamite. 

Thawing 

Some  kinds  of  dynamite  freeze  at  about  50  degrees  Fahrenheit  and 
will  not  explode  at  all,  or  only  imperfectly,  when  in  that  condition.  Even 
when  chilled  they  cannot  be  depended  on  to  work  well.  Red  Cross  Dyna- 
mite is  an  exception  to  this  rule,  for  it  will  not  freeze  until  the  weather 
is  quite  cold.  When  dynamite  is  frozen  it  must  be  thawed,  or  if  chilled 
it  must  be  warmed  before  using.  Frozen  dynamite  is  easily  recognized 
because  it  is  hard  and  rigid. 

If,  after  the  thawed  dynamite  is  ready  to  use,  something  causes  a 
delay  and  it  becomes  chilled  or  frozen  before  it  can  be  put  into  the  bore- 
hole, it  should  be  thawed  or  warmed  again.  It  does  not  harm  dynamite 
to  thaw  it  many  times,  provided  this  is  done  in  the  right  way. 

Red  Cross  Dynamite,  if  loaded  in  the  ground  below  the  frost  line 
and  properly  tamped,  will  not  freeze  again,  but  other  dynamite  may  chill 
or  freeze  almost  immediately  when  loaded  in  cold  ground,  which  makes 
it  necessary  to  detonate  it  immediately  after  charging.  It  is  this  that 
makes  Red  Cross  Dynamite  so  valuable  in  cold  weather. 

The  best  way  to  thaw  dynamite,  and  to  keep  it  thawed  until  it  is  to  be 
used,  is  in  a  thawing  kettle  made  for  the  purpose.  Dynamite  may  be 
thawed  by  leaving  it  spread  out  on  a  shelf  in  a  warm  room  (not  in  a 
dwelling)  over  night,  or  by  burying  it,  while  in  the  case,  in  manure.  It 
may  also  be  thawed  by  putting  it  in  a  covered,  water-tight  pail  and  hang- 
ing this  pail  in  warm  water  and  it  may  be  carried  to  the  work  in  any  kind 
of  .dry  bucket  or  box  if  covered  with  an  old  coat,  a  piece  of  blanket  or 
something  of  the  kind  to  keep  it  warm.  It  is  exceedingly  dangerous  to 
try  to  thaw  dynamite  in  front  of  an  open  fire,  or  in  hot  sand,  or  on  hot 
stones,  or  metal  or  steam  pipes,  or  in  an  oven,  and  it  is  in  attempting  to 
thaw  dynamite  in  some  of  these  ways  that  accidents  frequently  happen. 
Do  not  attempt  to  thaw  dynamite  by  putting  the  cartridges  in  hot  water 
or  by  turning  a  jet  of  steam  on  it. 

110 


The  Catasauqua  Thawing  Kettle  is  made  in  one  piece  with  an  out- 
side jacket  for  the  hot  water  all  around  the  dynamite  section.  The  No.  1 
size  holds  30  pounds  of  dynamite  and  the  No.  2  size  60  pounds. 

The  water  must  never  be  heated  in  the  Catasauqua  Kettle,  but  mubt 
be  heated  in  some  other  vessel,  and  when  not  too  hot  to  bum  the  hand, 
poured  into  the  water  compartment  provided  the  dynamite  compartment 
is  empty.  It  is  dangerous  to  heat  the  water  in  the  Catasauqua  Kettle 
even  when  the  dynamite  section  is  empty,  because  there  may  be  a  little 
nitroglycerin  in  it  which  has  soaked  out  of  the  dynamite  previously 
thawed.  Dynamite  sliould  not  be  put  into  the  thawing  kettles  without 
first  carefully  wiping  out  the  dynamite  compartment  clean  and  dry. 

Do  not  place  a  thawing  kettle  over  a  fire  while  it  contains  dynamite. 


FIG.  86.— CATASAUQUA  THAWING  KETTLE 


Du  Pont  Blasting  Caps 

Du  Pont  Blasting  Caps  are  made  in  several  different  strengths,  but 
nothing  weaker  than  the  No.  6  (red  label)  strength  should  be  used, 
because : 

They  insure  complete  detonation. 

They  increase  the  execution  of  the  explosive. 

They  offset  to  some  extent  deterioration,  due  to  improper  storage. 

They  prevent  the  loss  of  the  charge  by  burning. 

Blasting  caps  are  put  up  in  boxes  of  100  and  from  5  to  50  boxes  are 
packed  for  shipment  in  wooden  cases.  They  may  be  exploded  by  shock, 
heat  or  sparks,  so  must  be  kept  away  from  fire.  They  are  weakened  by 
moisture  and  therefore  must  be  stored  in  a  dry,  cool  place. 

Ill 


^ifSSr 


FIG.  87.— DU  PONT  NO.  6  BLASTING  CAPS 


FIG.  88 


When  handling  blasting  caps  great  care  should  be  exercised  as  they 
are  much  more  sensitive  than  dynamite.  Therefore,  do  not  under  any 
circumstances  carry  them  together  with  dynamite,  or  loose  in  your 
pocket.  Keep  them  away  from  children  or  irresponsible  people,  and  do 
not  attempt  to  investigate  their  contents  by  tapping,  picking  or  scraping. 
In  withdrawing  them  from  the  box  do  not  use  wire,  nails  or  any  other 
sharp  instruments  as  the  friction  might  cause  them  to  explode.  A  good 
way  to  withdraw  a  cap  from  the  box  is  to  place  the  cover  over  all  but  one 
of  the  caps,  then  invert  the  box  over  your  hand,  when  the  uncovered  cap 
will  fall  into  the  hand.  When  inserting  fuse  before  crimping,  do  not 
rotate  the  fuse  as  the  end  may  scratch  the  fulminate  charge  of  the  cap 
and  explode  it. 

Fuse 

Powder  wrapped  in  jute  and  cotton  yarn  and  sometimes  in  tape. 
Many  kinds  are  made,  but  either  the  Crescent  or  Beaver  grades  are 
satisfactory  for  most  work  about  the  farm. 

Sometimes,  especially  in  windy  weather,  it  is  difficult  to  light  fuse 
because  the  powder  in  the  outer  end  may  have  become  damp  or  a  little  of 
it  may  have  spilled  out.  When  this  occurs  it  is  well  to  cut  off  an  inch 
or  so,  in  order  that  the  powder  will  be  dry.  A  half  inch  of  the  outer  end 
of  the  fuse  should  be  split  with  a  sharp  knife  and  spread  out  so  that  it  can 
be  easily  lighted  in  windy  weather  by  pushing  the  burning  end  of  the 
match  against  the  fuse  immediately  after  the  match  has  been  struck. 


e 


FIG.  89.— BLASTING  CAP  CRIMPED  TO  FUSE 


Fuse  should  always  be  kept  dry  and  should  be  stored  in  a  cool,  dry 
place.  If  stored  in  a  damp  place  it  becomes  damaged  after  a  time  and 
many  fail  to  burn  through.  If  stored  in  a  hot,  poorly  ventilated  place, 
as  for  example,  close  under  the  roof  of  a  small  shed  in  summer  time,  it 
may  be  damaged  either  by  becoming  soft  and  oily  or  by  drying  out  and 
becoming  so  hard  and  brittle  that  it  will  break  when  unrolled.  Fuse  also 
may  become  stiff  and  brittle  in  cold  weather  and  when  in  this  condition 
should  be  warmed  before  being  unrolled. 

112 


Fuse  is  put  up  in  a  double  roll,  one  fitting  inside  the  other  each  50 
feet  long.  Each  double  roll  of  100  feet  is  wrapped  separately.  It  is 
packed  for  shipment  in  wooden  cases  containing  from  500  to  6,000  feet 
and  in  barrels  containing  8,000  to  12,000  feet. 


Dupont  Cap  Crimpers 

Du  Pont  Cap  Crimpers  are 
necessary  wherever  blasting  is 
done  with  fuse  and  blasting  caps. 
Without  a  cap  crimper  it  is  im- 
possible to  attach  the  blasting 
cap  securely  or  safely  to  the  fuse.  fig.  90.— du  font  cap  crimper 

The  Du  Pont  Cap  Crimper  has  in 

addition  to  the  crimping  jaws,  which  make  a  water-tight  crimp,  two 
shears  for  cutting  fuse  and  a  straight  arm  to  make  the  hole  in  the 
cartridge  for  the  insertion  of  the  blasting  cap. 


Victor  Electric  Fuzes 

Victor  Electric  Fuzes  are  made  in  three  strengths — Nos.  6,  7  and  8 — 
with  two  copper  wires  4  feet,  6  feet,  8  feet  and  so  on  up  to  30  feet  in 
length.  For  work  on  the  farm  the  No.  6  strength  is  sufficient.  Victor 
Electric  Fuzes,  like  blasting  caps,  can  be  exploded  by  shock  or  heat,  and 
therefore  must  be  handled  in  exactly  the  same  way.  The  same  precau- 
tions regarding  storage  and  handling  as  given  for  blasting  caps  should 
be  strictly  observed.  Never  attempt  to  pull  the  wires  out  of  their  setting 
or  investigate  the  contents  of  Victor  Electric  Fuzes. 


5____i^ 
\  .-■-•.■■  ■■-, ^^=^ 


^  f  l:x^yAfm^'y//>yy//////i 


E  0 
FIG.  91.— ELECTRIC  FUZE  CROSS  SECTION 

"A"  is  the  shell  of  copper,  having  a  corrugation  thrown  out  from  the  inside,  which  holds 
the  filling  material  more  firmly  in  place;  "B"  is  the  chamber  containing  the  explosive  charge; 
"C"  the  insulated  copper  wires  entering  the  cap ;  "D"  the  bare  ends  of  the  copper  wires  projecting 
through  the  plug  into  the  charge;  "E"  the  small  .platinum  wire  or  "bridge"  soldered  to  and 
connecting  the  two  ends  of  the  copper  wiies,  which  is  heated  by  the  electric  current;  "F"  the 
composition  plug  holding  the  fuze  wires  firmly  in  place;  "G"  the  filling  material. 

Electric  fuzes  have  two  insulated  copper  wires  sealed  in  the  cap. 
The  tips  of  these  wires  inside  of  the  cap  are  bare  and  joined  together 
by  a  platinum  wire  finer  than  a  thread.  When  the  electric  current  passes 
through  the  electric  fuze  it  makes  the  platinum  wire  hot  enough  to 
detonate  the  explosive  in  the  copper  cap. 

Besides  the  advantageous  properties  of  the  No.  6  Blasting  Caps,  as 
enumerated,  No.  6  Victor  Electric  Fuzes  reduce  the  chances  of  misfires, 
save  time,  eliminate  delayed  or  premature  explosions  and  in  a  good  many 
instances,  such  as  in  stump  blasting,  save  dynamite. 

113 


FIG.  92.— VICTOR  NO.  6  (RED  LABEL)  ELECTRIC  FUZES 

Reliable  Blasting  Machines 

Reliable  Blasting  Machines  are  made  in  three  sizes.  The  No.  2  will 
detonate  from  one  to  ten  Electric  Fuzes  ;  the  No.  3  will  detonate  from  one 
to  thirty  Electric  Fuzes,  and  the  No.  4  will  detonate  from  one 
to  fifty  Electric  Fuzes  when  all  of  the  Electric  Fuzes  are  connected  in 
series.  The  Blasting  Machine  is  operated  by  lifting  the  handle  of  the 
rack  bar  as  far  as  possible  and  then  pushing  it  down  with  a  constant  hard, 
quick  blow.  When  the  rack  bar  strikes  the  bottom  of  the  Blasting 
Machine  the  current  of  electricity  passes  through  the  wires  and  detonates 
the  Electric  Fuzes.  It  is  well  to  always  place  the  Blasting  Machine  upon 
something  firm,  level  and  dry  when  operating  it. 

Reliable  No.  2  Blasting  Machines  have  two  binding  posts  and  the 
No.  3  size  also  has  two  posts  unless  specially  ordered  with  three.  Three- 
post  Blasting  Machines  will  explode  at  one  time  50%  more  Electric  Fuzes 
than  two-post  Blasting  Machines  of  the  same  size.  The  leading  wires 
are  connected  to  the  Blasting  Machine  by  pushing  the  well-scraped  bare 
ends  through  the  small  hole  in  the  binding  posts  and  screwing  the  wing 
nut  down  firmly  on  them.  When  a  three-post  Blasting  Machine  is  used 
with  three  leading  wires,  the  ones  from  the  two  outside  posts  are  con- 
nected to  the  first  and  the  last  Electric  Fuzes  in  the  circuit,  and  the  one 
from  the  middle  post  is  connected  between  the  two  middle  Electric 
Fuzes  in  the  circuit.  A  three-post  Blasting  Machine  may  be  used  with 
two  wires  only  by  connecting  these  wires  to  the  middle  and  either  one 
of  the  outside  binding  posts — not  the  two  outside  ones.  Reliable  Blast- 
ing Machines,  if  properly  used,  will  wear  for  many  years.  They  must 
be  kept  out  of  the  wet  and  mud  and  must  not  be  thrown  about  carelessly. 
If  it  is  necessary  to  use  them  in  wet  weather  or  on  wet  work,  they  should 
be  carefully  wiped  oflF  before  putting  them  away.  A  Blasting  Machine 
should  not  be  put  in  a  hot  place  to  dry  out  if  it  has  become  wet,  but  after 
being  wiped  off  should  be  put  away  in  a  cool,  dry  place  until  it  has  had 
time  to  dry  out  slowly. 

Blasting  Machines  should  be  tested  occasionally  with  a  Du  Pont 
Rheostat  to  be  sure  that  they  are  up  to  standard  capacity.  A  description 
of  the  Rheostat  and  instructions  for  using  it  will  be  forwarded  on 
application. 

114 


5/      '4 

FIG.  93.— INTERIOR  AND  EXTERIOR  VIEWS  OF  3-POST  BLASTING  MACHINE 


Fig.  94. — Method  of  Connect- 
ing   Three    Leading    Wires 
Post  Blasting  Machine, 


Fig.  95. — Method  of  Connect- 
ing Two  Leading  Wires  to 
3-Post  Blasting  Machine. 


Series  connection  with  blasting  machine.  The  break  in  the  wires 
is  merely  to  indicate  that  any  required  leng:th  of  wire  may  be  used 
between  electric  fuzes  and  blasting  machine.  There  must  be  no  break 
in  the  actual  circuit. 


Leading  jWire 

Leading  Wire  is  sold  in  coils  of  200  feet,  250  feet,  300  feet  and  500 
feet.  There  are  two  kinds,  Single  and  Duplex.  In  the  Duplex  Wire,  the 
two  wires  are  bound  together,  which  usually  makes  it  more  convenient 
to  handle.  Single  Leading  Wire  weighs  about  two  pounds  to  the  hun- 
dred feet,  and  Duplex  Leading  Wire  weighs  four  pounds  to  the  hundred 
feet.    Leading  Wire  is  sold  by  the  pound. 


Connecting  Wire 

Connecting  Wire  is  sold  in  1-lb.  and  2-lb.  spools.    A  1-lb.  spool  of 
No.  20  Connecting  Wire  holds  about  210  feet. 


FIG.  96.— COIL  OF  LEADING  WIRE 


*'*^^e^e*^SS8^ 


FIG.  97.— SPOOL  OF  CONNECTING  WIRE 


Tools  Used  in  Agricultural  Blasting 

Tools  necessary  in  farm  blasting  are  to  be  found  on  almost  every 
farm  or  can  be  easily  made  there  or  at  the  nearest  blacksmith  shop.  The 
holes  for  blasting  stumps,  boulders,  trees,  ditches,  post  holes,  road 
grading,  trenches,  etc.,  can  all  be  made  with  a  crowbar  having  a  point  at 
one  end  and  a  flat  chisel  edge  at  the  other.  The  wooden  tamping  stick 
can  be  made  in  half  an  hour  by  dressing  down  a  hard  wood  sapling,  or, 
if  the  holes  are  shallow,  an  old  broomstick  will  do.  A  long  handle  shovel 
and  a  grub-hoe  or  mattock  are  always  serviceable  when  blasting  stumps 
and  boulders.  Although  a  crowbar  is  very  satisfactory  for  making  a 
moderate  number  of  holes,  it  will  usually  be  found  of  advantage,  if  the 
work  is  extensive,  to  secure  augers  or  bars  especially  made  for  the 
purpose.  Sometimes  a  steel  rod  one-quarter  of  an  inch  in  diameter  and 
five  feet  long  with  a  sharp  slender  point  at  one  end  and  a  ring  on  the 
other  is  serviceable  for  probing  under  a  stump  to  find  out  the  size  and 
position  of  the  main  roots. 

When  draining  swamps  by  shattering  the  impervious  subsoil  under 
them  it  is  sometimes  necessary  to  make  the  holes  for  the  dynamite  much 
deeper  than  can  be  done  with  a  crowbar.  For  this  work  rod  or  pipe 
extensions  for  the  augers  are  used.  In  subsoiling,  a  bar  a  little  heavier 
and  shorter  than  a  crowbar  is  also  used.  This  subsoil  bar  can  be  removed 
when  it  becomes  fast  by  means  of  a  trace  chain  and  a  lever. 

116 


Below  we  illustrate  a  punch-bar  which  can  be  made  by  any  black- 
smith in  a  very  short  time.  All  the  materials  required  are  nine  feet  of 
ordinary  water  piping  1^  in.  inside  diam.,  one  1%  in.  tee,  one  1^  in. 
coupling,  and  nine  inches  of  1^^  in.  round  steel.  The  pipe  should  be  cut 
into  two  lengths  Sy^  feet  each  and  two  lengths  12  inches  each.  The  9  in. 
piece  of  steel  should  be  inserted  into  one  of  the  3^  ft.  lengths,  about  3 
inches,  and  welded,  it  should  then  be  pointed  pin  shape.  The  remaining 
parts  should  be  put  together  as  per  illustrations. 

This  tool  can  be  very  successfully  used  for  putting  down  subsoil, 
tree  planting,  ditching,  and,  with  extensions,  deep  drainage  holes.  The 
method  of  working  with  it  is  to  start  the  hole  in  exactly  the  same  manner 
as  when  a  crowbar  is  used.  After  the  hole  is  some  6  or  8  inches  deep  a 
little  water  should  be  poured  into  it.  The  drill  is  then  placed  in  the  hole 
and  by  working  it  up  and  down  a  three-foot  hole  can  be  put  down  in  less 
than  one  minute.  Holes  of  any  depth  and  at  any  angle  can  be  put  down 
without  difficulty.  When  putting  down  deep  holes,  extensions  have  to 
be  added.  It  is  especially  adapted  for  placing  holes  under  stumps  or 
boulders  as  it  will  work  around  the  small  roots  of  stumps,  and  push  aside 
small  stones  or  pebbles  around  and  under  boulders.  The  use  of  the 
water  facilitates  its  penetrating  power  and  prevents  jamming. 


|_/^i H     H /-f/ »]  " 

<    \»-r»/tCJID£0 1'         I 


£XT£/VC/OAf  e>l/f 


^       t 

I    5 


^ 


fUA/Cft  O'A/f 


FIG.  98.— PUGH  PUNCH  BAR 
AND  EXTENSION 


£XT£r/j/o/v  aj)A 


4gaao^u^£/f 

riG.  99.— PUGH  WOOD  AUGER 
AND  EXTENSION 

These  tools  may  be  obtained  of  any  hardware  dealer  or  direct  from  Job.  T.  Pugh,  31st  and 
Ludlow  Sts.,  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  at  these  prices:  F.  O.  B.  Philadelphia,  Punch  Bar,  $2.40; 
Wood  Auger,  $2.60;  3-ft.  Extensions,  50  cents  each.  Local  prices  will  run  higher  to  cover  freight 
charges.  These  tools  are  made  on  specifications  of  the  Du  Pont  Company,  and  will  be  all  that 
the  average  blaster  will  need  for  making  bore  holes  in  earth  or  wood. 


117 


FIG.   loo.— STEEL   SUBSOIL  BAR 

Useful  for  making  holes  in  shale  or  very  tough  hardpan.  It  can  be  made  by 
any  blacksmith  from  VA  steel.  It  is  driven  in  by  means  of  a  16-pound  maul.  If  it 
sticks,  it  may  be  withdrawn  by  looping  a  stout  chain  a  few  times  around  it  near 
the  ground,  and  pr>'ing  it  with  a  rail  or  crowbar  passed  through  the  loop  of 
the  chain. 


Principles  of  Blasting 

When  dynamite  explodes,  that  is,  when  the  small  mass  of  dynamite 
is  changed  into  a  very  large  volume  of  hot  gases,  these  gases  exert  a 
strong  pushing  force  equally  in  every  direction  because  they  require  a 
much  larger  space  than  the  dynamite  which  produced  them.  If  the 
dynamite  is  shut  up  in  a  space  just  large  enough  to  hold  it,  that  is,  if  it  is 
closely  confined  before  it  is  exploded,  the  gases  in  escaping  to  the  open 
force  out  and  carry  along  with  them  the  material  which  shuts  them  in. 

These  gases,  pressing  equally  in  every  direction,  will  escape  prin- 
cipally where  there  is  the  least  pressure  to  hold  them  in,  that  is,  along  the 
lines  of  least  resistance,  and  will  force  out  the  material  confining  them 
more  in  that  direction  than  in  any  other.  If  the  back  pressure  holding 
them  in  is  about  the  same  over  the  top  and  on  all  sides,  then  they  will 
carry  with  them,  or  break  up  as  they  escape,  a  large  amount  of  the 
material  which  shuts  them  in,  but  if  one  place  in  the  earth  or  rock  around 
them  is  much  weaker  than  all  of  the  rest  then  the  pressure  will  force 
through  there  and  the  gases  will  escape  without  doing  as  much  work  as 
they  should. 

It  must  be  remembered  then  that  in  order  to  have  a  charge  of 
dynamite  do  good  work  it  must  be  so  placed  that  the  holding-in  pressure 
is  as  nearly  as  possible  the  same  on  top  and  all  sides  of  it  If  a  charge  of 
dynamite  explodes  properly  the  change  into  gases  is  almost  instan- 
taneous, although  some  time  is  always  required  and  some  kinds  of  dyna- 
mite explode — or  "detonate"  as  it  is  often  called — more  rapidly  than 
others. 

Sometimes  a  charge  of  dynamite  explodes  imperfectly  or  rnay  even 
burn  partly  or  entirely.  When  only  part  of  the  charge  explodes  so  little 
work  may  be  accomplished  that  it  will  have  to  be  done  over  again.  The 
gases  given  off  by  burning  dynamite  are  quite  dififerent  from  those  of 
properly  exploded  dynamite  and  are  often  very  poisonous.  Imperfect 
detonation  is  usually  caused  by  the  use  of  weak  detonators  or  dynamite 
that  is  insensitive  because  of  being  frozen  or  chilled. 

Chilled  or  frozen  dynamite  will  rarely  do  good  work.  The  other 
principal  causes  of  poor  results  in  blasting  are  insufificient  tamping  or  the 
improper  location  of  the  charge.  Poor  results  may  also  be  due  to  too 
large  or  too  small  a  charge  or  to  the  use  of  the  wrong  strength  or  wrong 
kind  of  dynamite. 

118 


Dynamite  is  exploded  by  a  detonator.  There  are  two  styles  of 
detonators,  one  known  as  a  blasting  cap  and  the  other  as  an  electric  fuze 
(pronounced  fu-zee).  Both  are  small  copper  cylinders  about  a  quarter 
of  an  inch  in  diameter  and  from  one  and  a  half  to  two  and  one-eighth 
inches  long,  which  contain  a  small  quantity  of  a  very  powerful  explosive. 
This  explosive  is  quite  sensitive  to  heat  and  shock  and  a  hard,  sharp  blow 
may  explode  it,  so  detonators  must  be  carefully  handled. 

The  heat  to  detonate  a  blasting  cap  is  provided  by  the  spark  from  a 
piece  of  fuse,  one  end  of  which  has  been  pushed  into  the  open  end  of  the 
blasting  cap,  and  fastened  there  by  crimping  the  blasting  cap  on  it  with 
a  cap  crimper.  When  the  other  end  of  the  fuse  is  lighted  it  burns  through 
slowly  and  when  the  fire  reaches  it  the  blasting  cap  explodes. 

Nothing  weaker  than  the  No.  6  (red  label)  Blasting  Cap  or  Electric 
Fuze  can  be  depended  on  to  properly  explode  dynamite. 

When  more  than  one  charge  of  dynamite  is  to  be  exploded  at  the 
same  instant,  the  blasting  must  be  done  electrically.  If  the  charges  are 
too  far  apart  for  the  wire  of  one  electric  fuze  to  be  connected  directly 
to  that  of  the  next  one,  it  is  necessary  to  use  connecting  wire  to  join  them. 

The  electric  current  for  detonating  electric  fuzes  is  produced  by 
the  blasting  machine  and  is  carried  to  the  electric  fuzes  through  leading 
wire. 

Method  of  Exploding  Dynamite 

The  detonator,  to  do  its  work  properly,  must  be  closely  surrounded 
by  the  dynamite,  because  air  in  the  open  space  between  the  detonator  and 
the  dynamite  acts  as  a  cushion  when  the  detonator  explodes  and  lessens 
the  shock  to  the  dynamite.  This  may  result  in  an  imperfect  explosion 
of  the  dynamite  with  but  little  work  done.  When  the  charge  of  dynamite 
is  all  pressed  together  in  a  mass  one  detonator  is  sufficient  to  explode  it. 
If  it  is  strung  out  for  fifteen  or  twenty  feet  in  a  deep  bore  hole  it  is 
generally  best  to  use  two  detonators. 


Preparing  Caps  and  Fuse 

Placing  the  detonator  in  the  cartridge  of  dynamite  is  called  priming 
it,  and  the  cartridge  with  the  detonator  in  it  is  called  the  primer  cartridge 
or  primer.  When  the  charge  consists  of  more  than  one  cartridge  the 
primer  should  generally  be  loaded  last  or  next  to  last. 


INSERT    FUSE    IN    BLASTING   CAP 
TARE  OUT   BLASTING   CAi»  BUT   DONT  TWIST   CAP  AROUND 

FIG.  loi  FIG.   102 

119 


CRIMP  THE    BLASTING    CAP  TO 

FUSE   SECURELY  WITH    DU  PONT 

CAP   CRIMPER 

FIG.  103 


PUNCH    HOLE   IN   SIDE   OF  CAR- 
TRIDGE WITH   ROUND    POINTED 
HANDLE  OF  CAP  CRIMPER 

FIG.  104 


INSERT   BLASTING    CAP  AND 
FUSE  IN  CARTRIDGE 

FIG.  los 


TIE  STRING  TO  FUSE 

FIG.  io6 


U 


TIE  FUSE  TO  CARTRIDGE 

FIG.  107 


OR    FASTEN   FUSE  TO  CARTRIDGE 

BY   PUNCHING    A    HAIRPIN 

THROUGH    CARTRIDGE    ON    BOTH 

SIDES   OF  FUSE 

FIG.  108 


BEND   HAIRPIN   POINTS   UP' 

FIG.  109 


now  TO  PRIME 

A  DYNAMITE 

CARTRIDGE 

FOLLOW   THESE 
DIRECTIONS 
CAREFULLY 


120 


The  FIRST  STEP  in  the  preparation  of  the  primer,  when  using 
fuse  and  blasting  cap,  is  to  examine  your  dynamite  and  see  that  it  is  not 
frozen.  Frozen  dynamite  is  hard  and  rigid;  when  thawed  it  is  soft. 
Next  examine  your  fuse,  see  that  it  is  not  stiff  and  brittle;  in  this 
condition  it  is  advisable  to  warm  same  slightly  before  a  fire  until  it 
becomes  pliable.  Take  your  cap  crimpers  and  cut  the  required  length 
from  the  roll;  cut  should  be  made  squarely  across  and  not  diagonally. 
Sometimes  in  the  cutting  the  end  becomes  flattened,  thereby  making  the 
end  of  the  fuse  too  large  to  enter  the  blasting  cap.  It  is  therefore  ad- 
visable to  squeeze  the  end  round  with  index  finger  and  thumb.  Insert  this 
end  carefully  into  the  detonator,  well  down  to  the  explosive  charge.  Do 
not  twist  it  about.  The  charge  is  very  sensitive  and  the  friction  caused 
may  explode  it.  Although  this  operation  is  not  dangerous,  yet  great  care 
should  be  exercised.  After  the  fuse  is  inserted  into  the  detonator  as 
above  described,  take  the  cap  crimper  and  crimp  detonator  to  the  fuse. 
The  crimp  should  be  made  near  the  end  which  the  fuse  enters,  so  as  not 
to  disturb  in  any  way  the  explosive  charge  which  the  blasting  cap  con- 
tains. Do  not  use  common  pincers,  knife,  or  the  teeth  in  this  operation. 
If  the  work  is  wet,  then  smear  the  joint  with  tallow,  wax  or  soap.  Do 
not  use  oily  grease  as  the  oil  might  penetrate  the  fuse  wrapping  and 
spoil  the  powder. 

The  next  operation  is  the  insertion  of  the  cap  into  the  dynamite 
cartridge.  There  are  two  methods  of  doing  this,  namely:  (1)  By 
punching  a  hole  diagonally  into  the  side  of  cartridge,  insert  blasting  cap 
into  same  and  tie  fuse  with  a  piece  of  twine  to  side  of  cartridge.  Electric 
fuzes  may  be  inserted  and  fastened  in  the  same  manner.  Another  quick 
method  of  fastening  fuse — but  not  electric  fuze  wires — is  to  straddle  the 
fuse  with  an  ordinary  soft  iron  wire  hairpin,  pushing  the  legs  of  same 
right  through  the  cartridge  and  bending  them  upward  on  the  opposite 
side.  Do  not  use  steel  wire  hairpins  and  do  not  use  this  method  to 
fasten  electric  fuze  wires  as  it  may  short-circuit  them  and  cause  a  misfire. 
If  only  a  half  cartridge"  is  required  for  a  charge,  each  end  of  the  whole 
cartridge  should  be  primed  as  described  above  before  cutting  it  in  half, 
as  by  doing  this  los«  of  dynamite  from  spilling  is  obviated — do  not  cut, 
break,  or  puncn  a  hole  into  frozen  dynamite  cartridges;  or  (2)  by 
unfolding  paper  wrapper  at  one  end  of  cartridge  and  punching  a  hole 
about  1^  inches  deep  with  the  rounded  handle  of  the  cap  crimper.  Into 
this  insert  the  cap  with  fuse,  draw  paper  wrapper  over  and  tie  same 
tight  with  a  piece  of  twine. 

Method  No.  1  is  preferred  by  most  agricultural  blasters  because  it 
leaves  the  whole  top  of  the  cartridge  intact  for  tamping,  and  also  leaves 
a  cushion  of  dynamite  between  the  tamping  stick  and  the  detonator, 
making  the  operation  of  tamping  easier  and  safer. 

121 


Charging 

Having  primed  the  cartridge  in  the  manner  described,  insert  it  in 
the  borehole  on  top  or  next  to  top  of  the  rest  of  the  charge  if  more  than 
one  cartridge  is  used  and  push  it  carefully  home.  Putting  the  explosive 
into  the  borehole  is  called  charging  or  loading  the  borehole.  It  is 
generally  best  in  dry  ground  to  slit  the  paper  shells  lengthwise  in  two  or 
three  places  with  a  sharp  knife  before  putting  the  cartridge  into  the 
borehole,  as  a  slit  cartridge  will  spread  out  in  the  borehole  better.  The 
primer  should  not  be  slit.  Push  the  cartridges,  except  the  primer 
cartridge,  firmly  into  place  with  a  wooden  stick  so  that  they  will  expand 
and  fill  up  their  part  of  the  hole,  for  crevices  or  air  spaces  may  lessen 
the  power  of  an  explosive.  Expanded  cartridges  also  occupy  less  of  the 
length  of  the  borehole  and  make  possible  a  heavy  charge  at  bottom  of 
hole.  The  primer  is  loaded  last,  or  next  to  last,  and  is  pushed  down  only 
hard  enough  to  touch  the  preceding  cartridge.  Each  cartridge  must 
touch  the  one  previously  loaded,  for  if  any  space  between  the  cartridge 
occurs  through  falling  dirt  or  stones,  or  through  the  sticking  of  a 
cartridge  in  the  borehole,  a  part  of  the  charge  may  fail  to  explode. 

Never  force  a  primer  into  a  borehole,  because  the  detonator  which  it 
contains  is  sensitive  to  shock  and  might  explode  if  too  much  force  is  used. 

Tamping 

After  the  charge  is  pressed  home,  as  directed,  put  in  two  or  three 
inches  of  fine  dirt  or  damp  sand,  and  with  a  wooden  stick  press  it  gently 
on  top  of  the  dynamite.  Then  fill  up  two  or  three  inches  more  of  the  hole, 
packing  it  in  a  little  more  firmly.  After  five  or  six  inches  covers  the 
charge,  it  may  be  pressed  firmly  into  place  without  danger  of  premature 
explosion.  The  tamping  material  should  be  packed  as  firmly  on  top  of 
the  charge  as  can  be  done  without  moving  the  electric  fuze  or  blasting- 
cap  in  the  primer,  but  it  is  not  safe  to  tamp  by  a  blow  any  stronger  than 
can  be  given  by  hand.  Fill  the  borehole  up  with 'tamping  until  even  with 
the  surface.  The  firmer  and  harder  the  tamping  can  be  made  (without 
overlooking  the  above  precautions)  the  better  will  be  the  results.  If  the 
borehole  is  not  properly  tamped,  the  charge  is  likely  to  "  blow  out,"  or 
at  any  rate  some  of  its  force  will  be  wasted. 

Do  not  use  iron  or  steel  bars  or  tools  for  tamping  because  the  metal 
tools  may  detonate  the  explosives.  Use  only  a  wooden  tamping  stick 
with  no  metal  parts. 


riG.  no.— HOME  MADE  TAMPING  STICK 

122 


Firing 

Exploding  the  charge  is  called  firing  and  can  be  done  either  by  caps 
and  fuse  or  electrically  by  electric  fuzes  and  blasting  machine.  When 
cap  and  fuse  are  used  cut  the  fuse  long  enough  to  enable  you  to  retire  to 
a  safe  distance.  Fuse  burns  on  an  average  of  two  feet  per  minute  and 
on  page  140  is  a  table  showing  the  line  of  safety  to  be  observed  for 
various  classes  of  blasting,  as  also  the  amount  of  fuse  required  to  enable 
the  blaster  to  reach  same. 

Never  light  the  fuse  or  operate  the  blasting  machine  until  you  have 
warned  everyone  near  that  you  are  about  to  fire,  and  until  you  are  thor- 
oughly satisfied  that  there  is  no  one  sufficiently  near  to  be  injured  by  the 
material  thrown  into  the  air  by  the  blast. 

Never  investigate  a  misfire  immediately.  It  sometimes  happens  that 
the  charge  does  not  explode  exactly  when  it  should  but  does  so  a  little 
later.  This  rarely  if  ever  occurs  when  firing  electrically,  but  is  not  so 
infrequent  when  fuse  is  used,  because  careless  tamping  sometimes  tears 
or  abrades  the  fuse  so  that  it  will  burn  very  slowly.  A  misfire  with  fuse 
should  not  be  investigated  for  at  least  one-half  hour,  but  it  is  much 
better  to  wait  a  full  hour.  When  firing  electrically  be  sure  that  all  your 
connections  are  OK  and  do  not  connect  the  leading  wire  to  the  blasting 
machine  until  everything  else  is  ready  for  the  blast.  This  will  prevent 
some  inexperienced  person  from  accidentally  operating  the  blasting 
machine  and  exploding  the  charge  before  the  blaster  has  had  time  to 
reach  the  safety  line. 


What  To  Do  in  Case  of  Misfire 

Never  try  to  dig  out  the  old  charge.  Make,  charge  and  prime  a 
new  borehole  far  enough  from  the  first  to  make  sure  the  tools  will  not 
touch  the  first  charge. 

Always  fire  just  as  soon  as  possible  after  tamping.  In  fact  priming, 
charging,  tamping  and  firing  should  be  done  as  quickly  as  it  is  possible 
to  do  them  thoroughly,  because  wet  or  even  damp  ground  may  injure  the 
dynamite  or  even  the  detonator  to  some  extent  and  in  cold  weather 
dynamite  may  become  chilled  or  frozen  which  makes  it  insensitive. 
When  viewing  a  blast  it  is  always  advisable  to  look  out  carefully  for 
falling  material  which  may  be  thrown  farther  than  anticipated  and  a 
position  should  always  be  taken  so  that  the  sun  and  wind  will  be  at  your 
back.  In  any  case  the  sun  should  not  be  faced,  as  in  doing  so  it  is 
naturally  difficult  to  discern  material  flying  through  the  air.  Look  up  in 
the  air,  rather  than  at  the  stump  or  boulder  being  blasted. 

123 


i:: 

^ 

U 

JH 

kk 

^'wl 

mai^SMKUM 

^  ^Kfi 

^■si  '^  ^^B^^^^^^^H 

^^^K  /^ 

tT^JII^^^I^^^^^^^^H 

r^:?A>^HRpi 

^Hl 

;> 

FIG.  Ill 
Lowering  Primed  Cartridge  Into  Hole 


FIG.  112 
Tamping  With  Broom-Stick 


:^; 


BLASTING    CAP 


IGHT    TAMPING 


BLASTING    CAP 
|H.-    DYNAMITE   CAHTRISGE   (.,  ._  0^    DYNAMITE  CARTRIDGE  (-1    , 

PRESS  CARTRIDGE   DOWN   GENTLY!   DON'T   POUND  PUT  IN  6TO 10  INCHES  OF  EARTH  AND  TAMP  UGHTLy 

I'IG.    113  FIG.    114 


5HT    TAIV,P,NG 


LIGHT    TAMPING 

BLASTING    CAP 
_      DYNAMITE    CARTRIDGE   c,>  i 
TAMP  FIRMLY  TO  THE  TOP  AND  IT  IS  READY  TO  FIRC 

FIG.   it:; 


t 


Y^—    LIGHT   TAMPING 
g^     BLASTING    CAP 
0^  DYNAMITE   CARTRIDGE  ViX'j 
LIGHT  FUSE  AND   RETIRE  TO  A   SAFE   DISTANCE 

FIG.  ii6 


124 


FIG.  11 7.— BLASTING  STUMPS  ELECTRICALLY 

Blasting  by  Electricity 

Large  boulders  and  large  stumps  with  spreading  roots  can  often  be 
blown  out  and  broken  up  more  thoroughly  and  with  less  dynamite  if  it  is 
distributed  in  several  charges  in  different  places  under  the  boulder  or 
stump  and  all  of  these  charges  exploded  at  one  time.  Groups  of  stumps 
standing  close  together  can  also  be  blasted  in  this  way.  In  order  to  dig 
a  ditch  satisfactorily  it  is  always  necessary  to  explode  a  number  of 
charges  simultaneously.  In  well  sinking  and  other  kinds  of  blasting  it 
is  of  advantage  to  explode  a  number  of  charges  at  one  time,  as  each  tends 
to  help  the  other.  The  only  way  in  which  several  charges  some  distance 
apart  can  be  exploded  at  exactly  the  same  time  is  by  the  electric  method 
of  blasting.  Electric  blasting  may,  of  course,  if  so  desired,  be  applied  to 
all  of  the  work  described  in  this  Handbook,  but  it  is  generally  unneces- 
sary and  more  expensive,  except  in  the  blasting  just  described. 

The  equipment  for  blasting  by  electricity,  in  addition  to  dynamite, 
consists  of 

Electric  Fuzes  Leading  Wire 

Connecting  Wire  Blasting  Machine 

When  the  charges  of  dynamite  have  been  primed  with  electric  fuzes 
and  tamped  as  already  described,  the  two  electric  fuze  wires  extend  from 
the  ground  over  each  charge.  These  two  wires  should  be  separated  and 
one  of  them  connected  to  one  of  the  wires  of  the  next  electric  fuze  on 
one  side  and  the  other  one  should  be  connected  in  the  same  way  to  one 
of  the  wires  of  the  electric  fuze  in  the  hole  on  the  other  side.  This  should 
be  continued  until  all  of  the  charges  are  connected  in  a  row  with  one 
free  wire  extending  from  the  first  charge  and  another  extending  from 
the  last  charge.  This  is  called  "connecting  in  series."  If  the  holes  are 
too  far  apart  for  the  electric  fuze  wires  to  reach  between  them,  pieces  of 
connecting  wire  will  have  to  be  used  to  connect  the  electric  fuze  wires  in 
adjoining  charges. 

125 


FIG.   1 18.— PROPER  WAY  TO  MAKE  CONNECTIONS 

Connections  are  all  made  by  twisting  bare  wire  ends  securely 
together.  All  wire  ends  should  be  scraped  with  an  old  knife  so  that  they 
will  be  free  from  grease  or  corrosion  when  connections  are  made. 

All  bare  joints  or  other  uncovered  places  in  the  wire  must  be  kept 
away  from  water  or  damp  ground.  This  can  be  accomplished  by  putting 
a  stick,  block  of  wood  or  stone  under  the  wire  on  each  side  of  the  bare 
place. 

The  Du  Pont  Company  manufactures  an  instrument  for  testing 
blasting  circuits,  called  the  Du  Pont  Galvanometer.  This  is  a  very 
ingenious  and  useful  instrument  where  much  blasting  is  done  by  elec- 
tricity, and  saves  much  time  in  locating  breaks  in  electric  circuits.  For 
instructions  as  to  its  use  ask  for  Galvanometer  Booklet. 

Instructions  for  Agricultural  Blasting 

In  the  follorwing  pages  it  is  our  endeavor  to  give  as  nearly  as  pos- 
sible definite  instructions  as  to  the  various  methods  employed  to  do 
different  kinds  of  blasting  about  the  farm.  Due  to  the  diversity  of 
local  conditions,  such  as  nature  of  soil,  thickness  and  quality  of  the  sub- 
soil or  hardpan,  the  root  system  of  trees,  position  and  grain  of  boulders, 
etc.,  it  can  be  readily  understood  that  it  is  practically  an  impossibility 
to  be  able  to  outline  any  precise  method  of  procedure,  that  will  fit  every 
case,  and  accordingly  it  may  be  found  of  advantage  to  vary  from  the 
instructions  relative  to  the  charge  of  explosives  to  be  used.  Nevertheless 
if  they  are  fully  followed  in  a  general  way,  but  little  experience  will 
enable  the  operator  to  do  the  work  even  more  quickly  and  economically 
than  when  first  he  attempts  it. 


FIG.  118A.— MAKING  HOLES   WITH   PUNCH   BAR 
126 


Blasting  Stumps 

"Root  systems  of  the  different  forest  trees  are  subject  to  a  con- 
siderable number  of  variations,  due  to  the  class  of  tree,  the  soil  and  the 
depth  to  sheet  water.  Ordinarily,  forest  trees  are  divided  according  to 
their  root  systems  into  three  classes.  These  are:  Those  having  tap 
roots ;  those  having  no  tap  roots  but  only  lateral  fibrous  roots ;  and  those 
having  both  a  small  tap  root  and  many  fibrous  roots.  When  trees  that 
normally  develop  heavy  tap  roots  are  grown  on  soils  where  the  ground 
water  level  is  very  near  the  surface,  the  tap  root  will  be  materially  short- 
ened or  entirely  wanting.  Fibrous  rooted  trees  growing  in  loose  soils 
not  troubled  by  bad  drainage,  may  send  heavy  lateral  roots  to  consid- 
erable depths.  The  highly  resinous  tap  roots  of  such  trees  as  the  pine 
decay  very  slowly." 

Several  factors  very  materialy  influence  the  blasting  of  stumps, 
notable  of  which  are : 

The  character  of  the  root,  whether  tap  or  fibrous. 

The  nature  of  the  soil  with  regard  to  the  resistance  it  offers  the 
explosive. 

The  state  of  preservation  of  the  stump,  whether  sound  or  partially 
decayed. 

Freshly  cut  or  green  stumps  are  much  harder  to  blast  than  those 
from  which  the  small  fibrous  roots  and  bark  have  decayed. 

Tap  rooted  stumps  are  easier  to  blast  than  fibrous  rooted  ones.  The 
semi-tap  rooted  ones  are  slightly  more  difficult  to  blast  than  the  tap 
rooted  ones,  but  not  so  difficult  as  the  fibrous  rooted  ones. 

In  doing  successful  and  economical  stump  blasting  all  depends  on 
the  proper  location  of  the  charge.  For  stumps  of  the  tap-root  variety  the 
best  method  is  to  bore  into  the  tap  root  as  shown  in  Fig.  1 19.  The  usual 
method  of  doing  this  is  to  start  a  hole  with  a  l^^-inch  punch  bar  or  dirt 
auger  at  a  distance  away  from  the  center  of  the  stump  equal  to  its 
diameter,  inclined  at  an  angle  of  about  45  degrees  towards  the  center 
until  the  tap  root  is  encountered.  The  earth  tool  should  then  be  ex- 
changed for  a  wood  auger  and  the  hole  continued  to  %  of  the  way 
through  tap  root.  Care  should  be  exercised  not  to  bore  entirely  through 
this  as  in  that  case  a  good  deal  of  the  force  of  the  dynamite  when  it 
explodes  will  be  wasted  in  the  soft  ground  beyond  the  tap  root.  The 
charge  to  be  employed  should  vary  from  1  to  6  cartridges  of  Red  Cross 
Extra  40%  Dynamite,  the  size  of  the  charge  varying  in  proportion  to  the 
size  of  the  stump.  Charge  should  be  primed  with  cap  and  fuse  and  firmly 
packed — the  tighter  the  better.  Priming,  charging  and  tamping  instruc- 
tions are  found  on  pages  119  to  124. 

If  you  have  a  blasting  machine  and  Victor  Electric  Fuzes  and  you 
wish  to  avoid  the  necessity  of  boring  into  tap  root,  we  recommend  placing 
the  charges  of  dynamite  firmly  against  the  tap  root  as  in  Fig.  120. 
Charges  should  be  primed  with  No.  6  Victor  Electric  Fuzes  and  firmly 
tamped.  The  electrical  blasting  methods  are  fully  explained  on  pages 
125  and  126. 

127 


))^,/^CJS£     ,^^^.,^ 


SHOWING   CORRECT     LOCATION     OF      CHARGE 
PLACED  INTO  TAP  ROOT 

FIG.  no 


UA/£OFM£A  S(/,  ?£A/I£A/r 


METHOD   OF    PLACING   CHARGES   AGAINST   TAP 
ROOT  FOR  ELECTRICAL  BLAST 

FIG.  120 


128 


When  blasting  out  stumps  of  the  semi-tap  or  lateral  root  variety, 
that  is  stumps  having  both  tap  and  lateral  roots,  the  paramount  idea  is 
to  remove  not  only  the  part  of  it  that  projects  above  the  ground,  but  to 
cut  off  and  displace  the  roots  below  plow  level.  It  is  therefore  necessary 
to  place  the  charge  well  down  in  a  central  position  below  the  stump  in 
order  that  the  explosion  may  exercise  an  equal  pressure  on  all  the  roots. 

A  good  many  beginners  in  trying  to  carry  out  this  principle  make 
the  common  mistake  of  calculating  to  get  the  bottom  of  the  borehole 
under  the  center  of  the  stump  as  we  endeavor  to  show  in  Fig.  121.  As 
may  be  observed  that  point  would  be  the  ideal  location  for  the  charge, 
but  it  must  be  taken  into  consideration  that  if  a  charge  of  3  cartridges  is 
used  in  a  l>^-inch  borehole,  this  will  occupy  at  least  20  inches  of  the 
length  of  same,  thereby  leaving  very  little  space  for  thorough  tamping. 

Furthermore,  the  bulk  of  the  charge  would  not  be  under  the  center 
of  the  stump  and  would  have  the  tendency  to  blow  out  the  loaded  side 
only  and  in  doing  so  it  would  probably  remove  only  half  of  the  stump, 
leaving  the  other  half  remaining  in  the  ground,  with  practically  no  soil 
resistance  to  enable  the  blaster  to  put  a  fresh  charge  on  the  opposite 
side. 

It  is  therefore  apparent  that  an  effort  should  be  made  to  locate  the 
centre  of  the  charge  at  a  point  beyond  the  centre  line  of  the  stump,  as 
shown  in  Fig.  122.  To  accomplish  this  correctly,  a  l^^-inch  diameter  hole 
should  be  bored  at  an  angle  of  about  45  degrees  inclined  towards  the 
center  of  the  stump.  This  hole  should  be  started  at  a  distance  away  from 
the  center  of  the  stump  equal  to  its  diameter,  and  should  be  of  sufficient 
length  so  that  the  bottom  of  same  will  be  past  the  center  line  of  the  stump. 
Primer^ould  be  made  with  cap  and  fuse.  The  instruction  for  making 
the  primer  as  also  regarding  loading  and  tamping  should  be  carefully 
carried  out  as  contained  on  pages  119  to  124. 

Stumps  having  a  large  diameter  can  also  be  blasted  out  by  the  cap 
and  fuse  method  with  a  single  charge  by  boring  a  hole  past  the  center 
line  and  enlarging  end  of  same  with  one-quarter  of  a  cartridge  of  dyna- 
mite primed  with  cap  and  fuse.  This  small  charge  should  be  pressed 
down  to  the  bottom  of  borehole  and  should  not  be  tamped.  The  result 
will  be  as  shown  in  Fig.  123.  Under  no  consideration  should  the  hoU  he 
charged  until  it  has  Jiud  time  to  cool  off.  The  best  plan  is  to  work  on 
other  stumps  awhile  to  give  the  chamber  ample  time  to  cool. 

We  recommend,  however,  that  large  stumps  be  blasted  electrically. 
This  is  done  by  boring  auger  holes  either  partly  through  or  under  the 
principal  spreading  roots  and  one  deep  hole  placed  under  the  center  of 
stump  (Fig.  124).  All  charges  should  be  primed  with  No.  6  Victor 
Electric  Fuzes,  wires  of  which  should  be  connected  together  to  form  a 
circuit.  The  first  and  last  wires  remaining  should  be  attached  to  the 
two  leading  wires  which  are  connected  to  blasting  machine.  Although 
large  stumps  can  be  successfully  blasted  by  the  ordinary  cap  and  fuse 
method,  we  recommend  the  electrical  system,  as  there  is  an  economy  in 
dynamite  and  results  more  satisfactory. 

129 


SHOWING    INCORRECT   LOCATION   OF    CHARGE 
BORE  HOLE  NOT  LONG  ENOUGH 

FIG.  12  z 


SHOWING  CORRECT  LOCATION  AND  DEPTH  OF 
CHARGE 

FIG.    122 


130 


For  cypress,  willows  or  stumps  in  very  soft  soil  the  following 
method  of  blasting  is  recommended.  Place  three  to  six  holes  (according 
to  size  of  stump)  twelve  to  eighteen  inches  away  from  stump  between 
lateral  roots  at  an  angle  of  about  75  degrees  inclined  towards  center  of 
same  (Fig.  126A).  Each  hole  should  be  charged  with  one  or  more  car- 
tridges of  Red  Cross  Extra  40%  primed  with  electric  fuze  and  fired 
with  blasting  machine.  By  adopting  this  method,  the  stump  will  be  split 
into  six  or  seven  pieces  and  all  roots  extracted,  leaving  a  very  slight 
indentation  in  ground. 

Table  of  Stump  Charges 

The  following  table  will  enable  the  beginner  to  obtain  an  idea  of  the 
number  of  Red  Cross  Extra  40%  Dynamite  cartridges  required  for 
various  size  stumps.  These  figures  are  for  old  but  sound  stumps.  Fresh, 
green  stumps  will  require  one-half  more  or  twice  as  much  dynamite,  and 
partly  decayed  stumps  less  than  amounts  shown.  After  he  has  obtained 
a  little  efficiency  in  doing  his  work  he  will  see  that  he  can  in  the  majority 
of  cases  considerably  reduce  these  charges. 


Diameter  of  Stumps  in  Inches 

12 

18 

24 

30 

36 

42 

48 

54 

60 

66 

72 

Approximate  No.  of  li"  xB" 
Cartridges  Red  Cross 
40%  Extra  Dynamite. 

I'A 

2 

3 

4 

6 

8 

10 

12 

14 

18 

22 

20%  Red  Cross  Dynamite   for  Stumping 

In  many  soils,  except  loose  sand  or  swamps,  it  is  possible  to  blast 
out  stumps  more  economically  with  20%  Red  Cross  Dynamite  than  with 
the  40%  strength.  On  the  other  hand  in  very  loose  or  swampy  soil  it 
is  sometimes  advantageous  to  use  Du  Pont  N.  G.  Dynamite,  60% 
strength.  The  theory  is  this:  Sand  or  muck  will  blow  out  much  easier 
than  the  stump  and  oflfers  little  resistance.  Hence,  unless  there  is  a  good 
amount  of  sand  or  muck  betzveen  the  charge  and  the  stump,  the  stump 
may  not  be  blown  out.  But  60%  N.  G.  Dynamite  is  so  fast  and  powerful 
it  blows  the  stump  out  before  its  power  is  lost  through  the  sand  or  muck. 
On  the  other  hand  where  the  soil  is  loam  or  clay  it  offers  good  resistance 
and  confines  the  force  of  40%  or  20%  Red  Cross  D}'namite  long  enough 
to  ensure  getting  out  the  stump. 


131 


SHOWING    "CHAMBERED"   OR  "SPRUNG"    BORE 

HOLE    FOR     BLASTING    LARGE    STUMPS    WITH 

ONLY  ONE  CHARGE 

FIG.  123 


ELECTRICAL     BLASTING-TOP     VIEW     SHOWING 

CORRECT    LOCATION    OF    HOLES    BORED    INTO 

LATERAL  ROOTS  AND  METHOD  OF  CONNECTING 

FUZE  WIRES 

FIG.  124 
132 


Western  Fir,  Pine  and  Cedar  Stumps 

In  the  States  of  Washington,  Oregon  and  parts  of  California,  where 
the  rainfall  is  large  and  the  ground  in  the  forests  is  always  damp,  many 
of  the  trees  grow  to  great  size — some  being  eight  or  ten  feet  in  diameter. 
The  roots  of  these  trees  usually  spread  out  near  the  surface  and  do  not 
grow  deep  into  the  ground  as  might  be  expected,  tap  roots  being  ex- 
tremely rare. 

The  object  when  blasting  these  stumps  is  not  to  split  them  but 
to  bring  them  out  entire  at  one  blast,  with  all  of  the  roots  possible, 
because  if  the  charge  of  explosives  is  so  gauged  and  located  as  to  split 
the  stump,  it  generally  fails  to  bring  out  all  of  the  pieces.  As  the  prin- 
cipal object  is  to  get  out  as  much  of  the  stump  as  possible  at  a  minimum 
cost,  it  is  better  to  blast  it  out  first  and  then  it  can  be  easily  split  after- 
wards by  means  of  a  small  quantity  of  dynamite  exploded  in  auger  holes. 

The  common  rule  in  blasting  these  stumps  is  to  use  one  and  one-half 
pounds  of  Hercules  Powder-Stumping  L.  F.  per  foot  of  diameter,  with 
stumps  up  to  four  feet,  when  the  subsoil  is  clay.  For  larger  sizes  from 
two  to  two  and  one-half  pounds  for  each  foot  in  diameter  should  be  used. 
Stumps  in  gravelly  or  loose  ground  require  one  pound  more  for  each 
foot  in  diameter. 

The  charge  of  explosives  is  best  placed  when  there  is  sixteen  to 
twenty-four  inches  of  earth  between  it  and  the  bottom  of  the  stump. 
This  results  in  the  force  of  the  explosion  radiating  to  all  sides,  lifting 
the  stump  clear  of  the  ground,  and  bringing  with  it  the  greatest  length 
of  roots.  If  the  charge  is  placed  too  close  to  the  stump,  the  effect  is  to 
split  it,  leaving  the  roots  to  be  dug  out  at  extra  labor  and  expense. 

When  these  stumps  are  large  the  bottom  of  the  borehole  is  "sprung" 
or  chambered  until  it  is  so  large  that  the  increased  charge  required  can 
be  concentrated  under  the  center  of  the  stump.  The  chambering  is  done 
by  exploding  without  tamping,  first  a  half  cartridge,  then  several  suc- 
cessive charges  of  from  one  to  five  cartridges  each  in  the  bottom  of  the 
borehole.  When  the  hole  is  large  enough  it  is  given  time  to  cool  ofl  and 
is  then  charged  with  the  necessary  quantity  of  Hercules  Powder- Stump- 
ing L.  F.  to  bring  out  the  stump.  Under  no  consideration  should  the  hole 
be  cJiarged  until  it  has  had  time  to  cool  off. 

The  best  plan  is  to  work  on  other  stumps  awhile  to  give  the  chamber 
time  to  cool. 

See  pages  119  to  126  for  proper  methods  of  priming,  charging, 
tamping  and  firing. 


133 


g§|y 


BORE  HOLE  TOO  SHALLOW  ANDCHARGE  PLACED 
TOO  CLOSE  TO  BOTTOM  OF  STUMP 

FIG.  125 


RESULT  ATTAlNEDTWiHENCHAITOE   IS   PLACED 

TOO  CLOSE  TO  BOTTOM  OF  STUMP  AS 

SHOWN  ABOVE 

FIG.  126 


134 


Redwood  and  Bigtree  Stumps 

The  way  to  estimate  the  quantity  of  Hercules  Powder-Stumping 
L.  F.  necessary  to  blast  out  stumps  larger  than  eight  feet  in  diameter, 
is  to  square  the  largest  diameter  in  feet,  the  result  being  approximately 
the  number  of  pounds  required.  For  example,  if  a  stump  is  eight  feet 
in  diameter  the  charge  of  Hercules  Powder-Stumping  L.  F.  should  be 
about  the  square  of  eight,  or  sixty-four  pounds.  Stumps  less  than  eight 
feet  in  diameter  require  a  little  greater  charge  for  their  size  than  do  the 
larger  stumps,  and  the  rule  with  them  is  to  use  as  many  pounds  of 
Hercules  Powder-Stumping  L.  F.  as  eight  times  the  largest  diameter  in 
feet.  On  this  basis  a  stump  six  feet  in  diameter  would  need  about  forty- 
eight  pounds  of  powder.  However,  the  successful  blasting  of  these  large 
stumps  depends  greatly  on  the  judgment  of  the  blaster,  and  these  rules 
can  only  be  considered  as  a  general  guide.  This  can  easily  be  understood 
when  it  is  remembered  that,  owing  to  difference  in  soil  or  some  pecul- 
iarity in  the  growth  of  the  tree,  it  sometimes  requires  the  same  quantity 
of  explosives  to  properly  bring  out  a  stump  six  feet  in  diameter  as  it 
does  another  one  eight  feet  in  diameter. 

In  blasting  these  stumps  a  trench  is  dug  large  enough  to  permit 
placing  the  entire  charge  of  explosives  directly  underneath  the  center 
nf  tlie  stump.  A  little  powder  blasted  in  holes  punched  with  a  crowbar 
will  prove  of  great  assistance  in  digging  this  trench.     (See  Fig.  127.) 


L//VE  OFA^£/tSU/^£A/f£:/VT 


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METHOD    OF    PLACING    HOLES    FOR    BLASTING 

CYPRESS,  WILLOWS  OR  STUMPS  IN  VERY  SOFT 

OR  LOOSE  SOIL 

FIG.  I26A 


135 


r  1 

FIG. 


t27.— ILLUSTRATING  METHOD  OF  PLACING  CHARGE  UNDER  A 
CALIFORNIA  BIG-TREE 


136 


The  charge  should  be  firmly  tamped.  Avoid  being  on  the  same 
side  of  the  stump  as  the  trench  when  the  blast  is  fired,  as  fragments, 
etc.,  are  thrown  with  more  violence  and  to  o^reater  distances  on  that  side. 


Second-growth  Stumps 

There  is  often  directly  under  a  second-growth  stump  the  decayed 
remains  of  the  original  stump ;  this  is  soft,  and  the  force  of  the  explosive 
when  placed  on  it  seems  to  merely  scatter  this  dead  wood  and  has  no 
marked  eflfect  upon  the  stump  above.  To  overcome  this  difficulty,  it  is  a 
good  plan  to  dig  under  the  stump  and  place  a  good  sized  flat  stone 
between  the  roots,  leaving  only  room  on  top  of  stone  for  the  dynamite. 
Damp  clay  should  then  be  firmly  packed  around  the  dynamite.  This 
gives  sufficient  resistance  to  the  explosive  to  enable  it  to  lift  out  the 
stump.  Red  Cross  Extra  40%  dynamite  should  be  used.  See  pages 
119  to  126  for  proper  method  of  priming,  charging,  tamping  and  firing. 


Felling  Trees 

Occasionally  when  clearing  land  of  growing  timber,  it  is  of  ad- 
vantage to  blast  out  the  entire  tree  and  saw  oflF  the  root  afterwards. 

This  process  here  is  exactly  the  same  as  in  stump  blasting,  but  a  little 
more  dynamite  is  required  to  bring  out  the  tree,  roots  and  all,  than  to 
blast  the  stump  after  the  tree  has  been  cut  and  the  lower  part  of  the 
trunk  is  usually  split  some.  The  blast  lifts  the  tree  straight  up  a  foot  or 
two;  then  it  falls,  generally  with  the  wind.  See  pages  119  to  126  for 
proper  method  of  priming,  charging,  tamping  and  firing. 


Splitting  Stumps  and  Logs 

When  stumps,  particularly  large  ones,  are  blasted  out  whole  or 
nearly  so,  it  is  sometimes  necessary  to  split  them  up  so  that  they  can  be 
conveniently  handled  or  burned.  This  can  be  readily  accomplished  with 
dynamite;  only  a  small  quantity  of  explosives  being  required  if  the 
charge  is  properly  tamped  in  auger  holes  bored  part  way  through  the 
stump. 

In  the  South  the  pine  stumps  are  very  large  producers  of  turpentine 
and  by-products.  Nothing  is  so  effective  as  dynamite  for  breaking  up  a 
stump  for  this  purpose.  Charges  of  a  few  inches  of  Red  Cross  40% 
Extra  Dynamite,  exploded  simultaneously  in  several  auger  holes  bored 
in  the  stump,  will  shatter  it  up  into  exactly  the  size  required. 

When  logs  are  split  up  to  be  burned  quickly,  the  same  method  is 
used  as  when  splitting  stumps ;  but  if  they  are  to  be  split  for  fence  rajls, 
cordwood,  charcoal,  or  other  purposes  where  comparatively  even  and 
regular  sections  are  required,  Du  Pont  Blasting  Powder,  in  granulation 
FF,  FFF  or  FFFF,  should  be  used. 

137 


aiAST/NG  CAP 


OY/VAM/TS'. 


MUDCAPPING 

FIG.  128 


SNAKEHOLING-COHRtLui   LOCATION  OF  CHARGE 
UNDER  BOULDER 

FIG.  129 


138 


This  explosive  is  so  much  slower  in  action  than  dynamite  that  a 
series  of  properly  gauged  and  properly  placed  charges  will  split  a  log 
along  the  grain,  just  as  evenly  as  if  a  number  of  wedges  were  used. 

This  method  of  splitting  logs  is  so  much  quicker,  cheaper  and  easier 
than  any  other,  that  those  who  have  once  become  proficient  at  it  never 
give  it  up.  Auger  holes  one  inch  or  more  in  diameter  are  bored  along 
the  line  of  the  grain,  about  one-quarter  to  one-half  of  the  way  through 
the  log,  the  depth  of  the  holes  and  the  distance  between  them  depending 
on  the  kind  of  wood,  the  grain  and  the  diameter  of  the  log.  A  few 
ounces  of  FF  Blasting  Powder  are  put  into  the  bottom  of  each  hole,  care 
being  first  taken  to  see  that  the  hole  is  dry,  then  wooden  plugs  are  driven 
firmly  into  the  tops  of  the  holes  to  tamp  or  confine  the  charge. 

In  some  kinds  of  wood  it  is  best  to  leave  a  considerable  air  space 
between  the  bottom  of  the  plug  and  the  powder.  The  plug  must  have  a 
groove  in  the  side  large  enough  to  admit  the  electric  squib  wire  or  the 
fuse.  As  blasting  powder  is  exploded  by  a  spark  or  flame  it  is  not  neces- 
sary to  use  a  detonator  with  it.  Electric  squibs  are  similar  in  appearance 
to  electric  fuzes,  except  that  they  have  a  paper  capsule  instead  of  a  copper 
cap.  They  do  not  explode  when  the  electric  current  passes  through  them, 
hut  ignite  the  blasting  powder  by  a  flash.  If  electric  squibs  and  a  blasting 
machine  are  used  for  exploding  the  charges,  they  can  all  be  fired 
simultaneously.  This  usually  is  the  best  and  cheapest  way  as  a  little 
less  pow'der  is  required  than  when  the  charges  are  exploded  separately 
with  fuse.  When  using  electric  squibs,  it  is  only  necessary  to  have  the 
groove  or  channel  in  the  sides  of  the  w^ooden  plugs  large  enough  for  the 
two  small  wires  to  run  through  it,  if  the  cap  of  the  electric  squib  is  put  in 
place  before  the  plug  is  driven  in.  When  driving  the  plug  care  must  be 
taken  that  the  wires  are  kept  free,  and  that  the  insulation  on  them  is  not 
damaged.  If  it  is  not  convenient  to  provide  wooden  plugs  in  this  work, 
damp  clay  tamping  may  be  used  on  top  of  a  wad  of  newspaper.  A  log 
two  feet  in  diameter  and  four  or  five  feet  long,  can  usually  be  split  in 
two  with  on€  two-ounce  charge  of  FF  Blasting  Powder.  Longer  logs 
require  two  or  more  holes  and  logs  of  greater  diameter  require  heavier 
charges.    The  holes  should  be  from  one  to  two  inches  in  diameter. 

Logs  may  all  be  split  into  fairly  regular  sections  with  dynamite  if 
care  is  taken  not  to  use  too  much.  To  split  a  solid  oak  log  ten  feet  long 
and  four  feet  in  diameter,  two  or  two  and  a  half  1^4  ^  8-inch  cartridges 
of  Red  Cross  Extra  20%  Dynamite  are  exploded  in  a  hole  drilled  from 
the  outside  to  the  center  of  the  log,  midway  between  the  ends.  This  will 
sometimes  split  the  log  in  quarters  if  the  charge  is  properly  confined  with 
tamping.  Only  about  half  as  much  dynamite  is  required  to  split  a  poplar 
log  of  this  size.  A  two-foot  pine  log  twenty  feet  long  can  usually  be  split 
in  halves  with  a  single  1^  x  8-inch  cartridge  or  less  of  Red  Cross  Extra 
20%  Dynamite  exploded  as  described  above. 

139 


F.U^£ 


TAMP/A/G 
DYNAM/TE  PP/ME/i 


BLOCKHOLING-CORRECT    METHOD  OF  PLACING 
CHARGE-HOLE  BORED  INTO  BOULDER 

FIG.  130 


Table  of  Fuse  Lengths 

This  table  is  based  on  an  average  burning  speed  of  Crescent  Fuse  of  3  feet 
per  minute.  However,  fuse  that  has  been  loosely  rolled  — thus  admitting  more 
air  to  the  powder  train  inside  the  fuse,  will  burn  more  rapidly.  Also,  fuse  in 
tightly  tamped  holes,  being  under  pressure,  burns  more  rapidly.  In  extreme 
cases  the  speed  reaches  5  feet  per  minute.  In  subsoiling,  as  there  is  very  little 
material  thrown  up,  the  fuse  may  safely  be  cut  just  long  enough  to  reach  from 
the  charge  of  dynamite  to  a  few  inches  above  the  surface  of  the  ground.  But 
in  stump  blasting,  ditching  and  especially  in  boulder  blasting  it  is  necessary 
to  use  a  fuse  long  enough  to  allow  the  blaster  plenty  of  time  to  run  far  enough 
away  to  be  out  of  reach  of  flying  stones  or  sections  of  stumps.  When  a  safe  distance 
has  been  reached  keep  the  eyes  on  the  stump  or  boulder  until  the  blast  occurs, 
then  look  upward  for  falling  pieces. 


Stump  Blasting 

Mudcapping 
Boulder 

Snakeholing 
Boulder 

Blockholing 
Boulder 

^     Ditching 

Subsoiling 
Tree  Planting 

u 

(0 

01 

u 

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200 

I     min. 

3    ft. 

200 

I  min. 

3  ft. 

25ft.      *      * 
*The  length  of 

ft. 

ft. 

1 

fuse  in  subsoil- 

.100 

ij  min. 

a\  ft. : 

ing     and     tree 

tt. 

planting  is  de- 

! 

termined  solely 

ft? 

2    min. 

6    It. 

ir 

2min. 

6tt. 

400 

2min.:  6  ft. 

400 

2mm. 

6tt. 

by  the  depth  of 

tt. 

1 

ft. 

the  hole. 

140 


Boulder  Blasting 

There  are  three  ways  in  which  boulders  can  be  blasted.  These  are 
known  as  "Mudcapping,"  "Snakeholing,"  and  "Blockholing."  "Mud- 
capping"  and  "Snakeholing"  are  the  easier  and  quicker  methods,  but 
require  more  dynamite.  It  is  almost  impossible  to  shatter  large  round 
boulders  of  hard  rock  by  either  of  these  methods,  without  using  an 
excessive  quantity  of  explosives. 


Mudcapping 

When  blasting  boulders  by  mudcapping  them  (also  called  "doby 
shooting"  or  "blistering")  the  charge  of  dynamite  is  packed  closely 
against  the  surface  on  the  top  or  side  of  the  boulder,  covered  with  mud 
and  exploded.  The  charge  should  be  placed  on  the  spot  which  would  be 
struck  with  a  sledge  if  the  boulder  were  small  enough  to  be  broken  in 
that  way,  and  should  be  packed  in  a  solid  mass  by  removing  the  paper 
cartridge  shells,  but  not  spreading  the  contents  over  the  surface  of  the 
boulder  any  more  than  absolutely  necessary.  When  working  with  bare 
hands,  it  is  a  good  plan  to  cover  the  dynamite  with  the  original  paper 
wrappers  of  the  cartridges  to  prevent  absorption  of  nitroglycerin  by  the 
pores.  This  paper  also  protects  the  dynamite  against  the  water  in  the 
mudcap.  A  blasting  cap  crimped  on  to  fuse  should  be  placed  in  the 
middle  of  the  charge,  and  the  whole  covered  with  six  inches  of  damp  clay 
or  sand.  The  idea  is  to  get  the  mass  of  explosive  in  direct  contact  with 
the  boulder  and  exclude  all  air  cushions.  The  mud  or  damp  sand  should 
be  pressed  firmly  over  the  mass  of  dynamite,  care  being  taken  not  to 
cover  the  outer  end  of  the  fuse.  If  the  boulder  is  deeply  imbedded  in  the 
ground,  it  is  best,  before  blasting,  to  dig  away  or  loosen  some  of  the 
earth  surrounding  it. 


Blockholing 

This  is  the  most  economical  way  to  use  dynamite  in  breaking  up 
boulders,  although  it  takes  some  time  and  labor  to  drill  the  one  or  more 
necessary  holes  in  the  boulder.  The  holes  in  large  boulders  should  be  an 
inch  or  more  in  diameter,  while  three-quarters  or  seven-eighths  of  an 
inch  will  answer  for  the  smaller  ones. 

A  boulder  weighing  from  eight  to  ten  tons  can  be  well  broken  by 
drilling  a  one-inch  hole  in  it  near  the  center  from  two  to  three  feet  deep 
as  the  shape  and  grain  of  the  rock  may  demand,  and  exploding  in  the  hole 
four  to  five  one  and  one-quarter  by  eight-inch  cartridges  of  Red  Cross 
Extra  Dynamite  40%.  The  dynamite  should  be  poured  out  of  the  paper 
shells  and  packed  down  into  the  hole  with  a  stick.  When  it  is  all  in  place 
a  hole  is  made  in  it  with  a  sharp  stick  and  the  blasting  cap,  crimped  to  the 
necessary  length  of  fuse,  is  pushed  down  into  this  hole  and  held  in  posi- 
tion by  carefully  packing  any  clay  tamping  there  is  room  for  about  the 
fuse. 

141 


To  break  up  a  boulder  weighing  approximately  a  ton,  a  one-inch 
hole  eig-ht  inches  deep,  charged  from  half  to  two-thirds  full  of  Red  Cross 
Extra  Dynamite,  is  required.  Smaller  boulders  require  holes  from  four 
to  six  inches  in  depth,  which,  if  necessary,  can  be  filled  full  of  Red  Cross 
Extra  Dynamite,  and  no  tamping  used. 


Snakeholing 

In  this  method  of  breaking  boulders  the  dynamite  is  placed  in  holes 
underneath  them  just  as  in  stump  blasting.  The  hole  is  made  with  a 
crowbar  or  dirt  auger  in  such  a  direction  that  the  charge  of  dynamite 
will  be  against  the  center  of  the  lower  side  of  the  boulder.  If  the 
boulder  is  hollow  or  flat  underneath,  the  explosion  of  the  charge  will 
break  it  in  pieces  and  throw  it  out  of  its  bed.  If  the  lower  side  is  round 
or  bulging  the  boulder  will  be  heaved  out,  but  will  not  be  so  well  broken. 
When  this  occurs  the  large  pieces  may  be  broken  by  mudcapping.  Care 
should  be  taken  when  the  charge  is  placed  to  leave  no  means  by  which  the 
force  of  the  dynamite  may  be  wasted.  If  it  has  not  been  thoroughly 
tamped,  or  if  it  is  too  near  the  surface  of  the  ground  and  not  in  the 
proper  position  beneath  the  boulder,  the  dynamite  may  blow  the  dirt  out 
and  leave  the  boulder  untouched. 

Red  Cross  40%  Extra  Dynamite  should  be  used  when  breaking  up 
boulders  in  this  way.  Only  from  one-half  to  two-thirds  the  quantity 
that  would  be  required  to  mudcap  the  same  boulder  is  needed,  provided 
it  has  a  hollow  or  flat  side  underneath.  Less  dynamite  is  required  in 
damp,  heavy  soil  than  in  light  or  sandy  soil. 

Caution:  Blockholing  and  snakehoUng  boulders  are  the  most 
dangerous  operations  in  agricultural  blasting,  because  pieces  of  rock  are 
often  throzmi  great  distances.  Hence  it  is  necessary  to  get  ^oo  to  400  feet 
azvay  before  the  blast.  To  reduce  the  risk  from  flying  stones,  especially 
zvhen  blasting  near  a  dwelling,  cover  the  boulder  zvith  a  number  of  leafy, 
branchy  boughs.  These  tend  to  retard  the  flying  stones  the  same  as  the 
rope  blankets  used  by  contractors  in  blasting  in  cities. 

The  quantity  and  strength  of  dynamite  required  naturally  depends 
on  the  size  and  shape  of  the  boulder.  The  "grain"  and  kind  of  rock  are 
also  important  points.  Red  Cross  Extra  Dynamite  40%  or  Du  Pont  60% 
N.  G.  Dynamite  is  best  for  blasting  boulders.  The  following  table  gives 
approximately  the  number  of  ly^  x  8-inch  cartridges  to  blast  boulders 
of  different  sizes,  so  that  they  will  be  broken  into  pieces  small  enough 
for  one  man  to  handle,  provided  the  boulders  are  mostly  above  the 
surface  of  the  ground. 

142 


Table  of  Charges  for  Boulder  Blasting 


Approximate 

Number  of  i\" x 

8"  Cartridges 

Weight  of  Boulder 

Required  for: 

Mudcapping 

Snakeholing 

Blockholing 

100  lbs.  to  500  lbs. 

Uoii 

i  to  I 

i 

1000  lbs. 

2 

I* 

i 

JOGO  lbs. 

3 

2h 

3 

3000  lbs. 

3h 

3 

I 

4000  lbs. 

4 

3^ 

li 

5000  lbs. 

4i 

4 

II 

7500  lbs. 

6 

5 

2h 

loooo  lbs. 

8 

6 

3i 

If  boulders  are  largely  buried  in  the  ground  they  may  be  broken  by 
doubling  or  trebling  the  above  charges,  but  it  is  generally  less  expensive 
under  these  conditions  to  lift  the  boulder  out  of  the  ground  by  snake- 
holing  and  then  if  it  is  too  large  to  handle,  to  break  it  in  pieces  by  mud- 
capping.  For  lifting  without  breaking,  the  charges  in  above  table  may 
be  approximately  reduced  one-half. 


Ditching 

When  properly  used  dynamite  will  excavate  ditches  entirely,  spread- 
ing the  earth  over  the  land  some  distance  away.  In  the  same  way  much 
valuable  land  can  be  saved  by  blasting  straight  channels  to  straighten 
and  shorten  the  course  of  creeks  and  streams.  It  is  not  necessary  in  this 
work  to  blast  a  large  ditch  or  channel,  for  if  the  current  is  once  started 
through  a  small  one  it  will  soon  wash  it  out  to  the  proper  size. 

Ditches  can  be  dug  economically  and  satisfactorily  either  through 
dry  ground,  or  in  wet  heavy  soil,  even  though  it  should  be  covered  with 
several  inches  of  water.  The  best  and  most  systematic  way  of  doing  this 
class  of  work  is  to  : 

( 1 )  Stake  out  and  measure  the  entire  length  of  the  ditch  required. 

(2)  Multiply  the  total  length  in  feet  by  12  inches  and  divide  by  28 
in  order  to  ascertain  the  number  of  holes  to  be  punched  or  bored.  The 
divisor  28  is  given  to  represent  the  normal  distance  between  holes.  In 
stiff  clay  or  hardpan  holes  should  be  26  to  28  inches  apart.  In  loose  or 
mucky  soil  where  there  will  be  a  good  flow  of  water  to  clean  out  bottom, 
holes  may  be  30  inches  apart. 

(3)  Carry  the  necessary  number  of  Red  Cross  Extra  20%  car- 
tridges required  (one  or  two  per  hole  according  to  conditions),  as  also 
the  number  of  Victor  No.  6  Electric  Fuzes  with  wires  the  required  length 
according  to  the  depth  and  spacing  of  the  holes  (one  fuze  to  each  hole), 
to  where  the  work  is  to  be  done. 


143 


FIG.  131 

Diagram  showing  approximate  cross-section  of  blasted  ditches  with  location 
and  amount  of  charge  required.  No.  1  shows  1  cartridge  tamped  in,  No.  2  two 
cartridges,  No.  3  two  cartridges  in  each  of  two  holes.  No.  4  three  cartridges  in 
each  of  three  holes. 


144 


(4)  Prepare  as  many  primers  as  there  are  holes  required.  Primers 
should  be  made  in  accordance  with  the  instructions  contained  on  page  — 
using  for  this  purpose  one  Victor  No.  6  Electric  Fuze. 

(5)  Punch  or  bore  a  row  of  holes  along  the  center  line  where  the 
ditch  has  to  be  made.  Holes  should  be  made  vertically  with  a  bar  not 
less  than  one  and  one-half  inches  in  diameter,  spaced  28  inches  apart,  and 
sunk  to  a  depth  approximately  within  6  inches  of  the  desired  depth  of 
the  ditch.  The  number  of  holes  bored  for  each  blast  should  be  consistent 
with  the  capacity  of  the  blasting  machine  to  be  used. 

(6)  If  the  work  is  dry,  charge  the  holes  after  they  have  all  been 
bored  to  save  time.  If  a  charge  of  more  than  one  cartridge  is  required, 
place  the  primed  cartridge  in  last,  and  tamp  well  to  top  of  the  ground. 

If  the  work  is  in  very  wet  or  swamp  soil  it  is  very  often  advisable  to 
load  the  holes  as  soon  as  bored  as  wet  shifting  soil  may  refill  the  hole. 
No  tamping  is  required  if  cartridges  are  well  covered  with  water. 

(7)  Connect  electric  fuze  wires  in  one  of  the  ways  illustrated  on 
page  146. 

(8)  As  soon  as  the  last  hole  is  charged  stretch  out  leading  wire  and 
connect  same  to  electric  fuze  wires,  caution  everyone  to  retire  and  when 
certain  that  every  one  is  at  a  safe  distance  away  connect  leading  wire  to 
blasting  machine  and  fire.  Never  connect  leading  wire  to  blasting 
machine  until  ready  to  fire. 

In  this  way  ditches  can  be  dug  up  to  9  feet  wide  at  the  top,  3  feet 
wide  at  the  bottom  and  4^/2  feet  deep  for  approximately  6c.  per  lineal 
foot  or  8c.  per  cubic  yard.  The  top  width  depends  on  the  depth,  size  of 
the  charge,  kind  of  soil  and  consistency  of  same.  When  digging  ditches 
requiring  a  width  of  from  9  to  20  feet,  two  or  three  rows  of  holes  are 
necessary.  The  holes  should  be  the  same  distance  apart  in  the  rows, 
the  same  depth  and  charged  with  the  same  quantity  and  kind  of  dynamite 
as  for  the  narrower  ditches. 

Note:  If  in  doubt  as  to  the  proper  depth  of  holes  or  charge,  try  a  short 
test  blast  of  five  to  ten  holes. 

If  the  first  hole  in  the  second  or  succeeding  sections  is  spaced  the  regular 
26  or  28  inches  away  from  the  end  of  the  first  blast,  a  ridge  will  be  left  at 
that  point  in  the  finished  ditch.  To  overcome  this,  place  the  first  charge  in 
each  string  not  more  than  a  few  inches  i  away  from  the  end  of  the  last  blasted 
section. 

In  heavy  dry  soil  it  may  prove  advantageous  to  load  at  the  bottom  of  each  hole 
one  cartridge  of  Red  Cross  Extra  40%  Dynamite,  underneath  the  20%  load,  the 
idea  being  that  the  weaker  dynamite  will  break  the  upper  soil  and  the  40%  will 
then  throw  it  out  better  than  if  20%  were  used  exclusively.  It  must  be  remembered 
that  the  kind  and  condition  of  the  soil  greatly  affect  the  work,  hence  no  hard  and 
fast  rules  can  apply. 

In  strongly  sodded  soil,  cutting  the  sod  with  a  spade  along  the  proposed  sides 
of  the  ditch  help  to  produce  a  clean  excavation. 

145 


^ 


V 


nl 


Tl 


<6 


ts 


Fig,  1  shows  method  of  connecting  single  row  of  holes  when  the  fuze  wires 
are  short,  the  leading  wire  being  connected  to  the  two  ends  of  the  series.  Fig.  2 
shows  a  method  requiring  less  leading  wire,  both  wires  of  the  duplex  leading  wire 
being  connected  to  separate  fuze  wires  at  one  end  of  the  series.  Fig.  3  shows  con- 
nections for  a  two-row  blast,  Fig.  4  for  a  three-row  blast,  Fig.  5  shows  a  vertical 
view  of  Fig.  2  connections,  and  Fig.  6  a  vertical  view  of  Fig.  1  connections. 


146 


Table  of  Charges  for  Ditch  Blasting 


■ 

Approximate  top 
width  of  ditch 

Approximate  No.  of  ctgs.  re- 
quired for  various  depths. 

No.  of  rows  of 
holes  required. 

Distance 

between  rows. 

in  feet. 

2i   to  3  ft. 

4 

5  to  6  ft. 

3 

h     ' 

I 

d 

inches 

6 

2 

3 

I 

0 

8 

2 

3 

2 

20 

10 

2 

3 

2 

28 

12 

2 

3 

2 

36 

M 

2 

3 

2 

4^ 

i6 

- 

3 

3 

4-' 

Required  length  of 
No.  6  Victor  Elec- 
tric Fuzes. 


4  ft.       6  ft.    6  to  8  ft. 


Blasting  Ditches  Without  a  Blasting  Machine 


There  are  occasions  when  a  ditch  has  to  be  cut  through  very  swampy 
and  untrafficable  muck,  which  makes  it  very  difficult  for  the  blaster  to 
conveniently  carry  out  all  the  work  necessary  when  the  blasting  machine 
has  to  be  used.  Then  again  in  the  same  soil  it  may  be  imperative  to  cut 
a  ditch  300  to  500  feet  in  length  in  one  blast,  which  cannot  be  done  by 
means  of  a  blasting  machine,  as  a  blasting  machine  will  fire  from  30  to 
250  feet  at  one  time  according  to  its  size.  When  this  occurs  the  follow- 
ing method  should  be  adopted : 

Punch  or  bore  a  row  of  holes  vertically  along  the  center  line  of  the 
proposed  ditch  with  a  bar  not  less  than  1 3/2  inches  in  diameter,  down  to  a 
depth  approximately  within  6  inches  of  the  desired  depth  of  the  ditch, 
spacing  them  from  18  to  24  inches  apart.  Each  hole  should  be  charged, 
as  soon  as  made,  with  one  or  more  cartridges  of  Du  Pont  N.  G.  60% 
Dynamite  according  to  depth,  as  soon  as  bored.  Place  in  the  center  hole 
one  extra  cartridge  primed  with  a  blasting  cap  carefully  crimped  to  the 
proper  length  of  waterproof  fuse.  No  tamping  is  needed  provided  mud 
or  water  covers  the  charge.  The  primed  cartridge  should  not  be  loaded 
until  everybody  except  the  blaster  has  retired  to  a  considerable  distance 
from  the  line  of  the  ditch  in  order  to  avoid  the  great  amount  of  dirt 
thrown  out  around  that  vicinity.  The  primer  fuse  should  be  lighted  just 
as  soon  as  possible  after  the  primer  is  loaded,  the  blaster,  of  course, 
retiring  to  a  safe  distance.  The  charge  in  the  middle  hole  explodes  those 
in  the  holes  on  either  side,  and  the  effect  of  these  two  is  carried  to  the 
next  and  so  on  almost  instantaneously  to  the  ends  of  the  ditch. 

147 


Due  to  the  fact  that  the  closer  spacing  of  holes  and  more  expensive 
dynamite  are  required,  this  method  is  usually  somewhat  more  expensive 
than  when  the  electrical  method  is  employed.  It  must  be  remembered 
that  cold  weather  checks  the  action  of  Du  Pont  N.  G.  60%  Dynamite 
and  it  is  necessary  to  use  larger  charges  and  put  the  holes  closer  together 
than  in  warm  weather.  This  work  can  be  done  best  when  the  tempera- 
ture of  the  water  or  earth  is  above  50  degrees  Fahr.,  and  is  not  recom- 
mended for  lower  temperatures. 

For  ditches  with  a  width  at  the  top  greater  than  6  feet  two  or  three 
rows  of  holes  are  required.  The  holes  should  be  the  same  distance  apart 
in  the  rows,  the  same  depth  and  charged  with  the  same  quantity  and 
kind  of  dynamite  as  for  narrower  ditches.  The  following  table  shows  the 
spacing  of  the  rows  and  charge  per  hole  required  for  various  size  ditches : 

Table  of  Charges  for  Blasting  Ditch  Without 
a  Blasting  Machine 


Top  width 
of  ditch 

Approximate  number  of  cartridges 

per  hole   required   for 

various  depths 

Number  of 
rows  required 

Distance 

between  rows 

in  inches 

2i  to  3  ft. 

4  ft. 

2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 

5*t. 

2i 
2i 
2i 
2i 
2i 
2i 
2j 
2i 

6  ft. 

6 
8 

10 

12 

14 
i6 
i8 

20 

3 
3 
3 
3 
3 
3 
3 
3 

I 
2 
2 

2 

3 
3 
3 

30 
36 

42 

48 
36 
42 
48 

In  order  to  enable  the  blaster  to  calculate  the  amount  of  dynamite 
required  to  cut  various  size  ditches,  the  following  table  used  in  conjunc- 
tion with  either  of  the  preceding  tables  should  prove  very  useful : 


Spacing 

10  Rods 

K  Mile 

y^  Mile 

Number 

of 

holes 

Dynamite  required 

using  charges 

per  hole  of 

Number 

of 

holes 

Dynamite  required 

using  charges 

per  hole  ot 

Number 

of 

holes 

Dynamite  required 

using  charges 

per  hole  of 

cartridge 

Whole 
cartridge 

5^ 
cartridge 

Whole 
cartridge 

V2 
cartridge 

Whole 
cartridge 

880  lbs. 

18  ins. 

no 

28  lbs. 

55  lbs. 

880 

220  lbs. 

440  lbs. 

1760 

440  lbs. 

20  " 

99 

25     •• 

49    " 

792 

198   " 

396 " 

1584 

396   " 

792   " 

24  " 

83 

21     " 

41    " 

664 

166   " 

332 " 

1328 

332   " 

664  •• 

26  " 

76 

19     " 

38    " 

608 

152   " 

304  " 

1216 

304   " 

608   " 

28  " 

71 

18     " 

36    " 

566 

142   " 

284  " 

1 132 

283   " 

566- 

I  rod    =:  i6i  feet. 

10  rods  r=  165  feet  or     55  yards. 

X  mile  =  1320  feet  or  440  yards  or  80  rods. 

yz  mile  =  2640  feet  or  880  yards  or  160  rods. 

If  longer  ditches  or  larger  charges  are  required,  multiply  the  above 
figures  by  two,  three  or  four,  according  to  the  number  of  rows. 


148 


Note :  In  case  of  doubt  as  to  proper  distance  between  holes  or  rows, 
or  depth  and  strength  of  charges,  try  several  10-hole  test  blasts,  with 
different  charges  at  different  distances  and  depths. 

When  wide  ditches  are  blasted  requiring  two  or  three  rows  of  holes, 
the  center  hole  in  each  of  the  rows  should  be  primed  with  a  Victor  No.  6 
Electric  Fuze.  These  should  be  connected  together  and  fired  by  means 
of  a  blasting  machine.  In  some  cases,  when  the  rows  are  not  more  than 
36  inches  apart,  the  blast  can  be  effectually  made  by  placing  extra  holes 
between  the  rows  midway  between  the  two  center  holes.  The  primed 
cartridge  with  cap  and  fuse  is  then  inserted  in  the  center  hole  of  the 
middle  row ;  the  detonation  then  will  carry  by  means  of  the  extra  holes 
to  the  other  rows  already  charged  as  shown  in  the  diagram  below. 

Note :  Wasting  of  earth.  The  dirt  excavated  in  a  ditch  blast  will  fall  the  way 
the  wind  blows.  It  is  better  to  ditch  on  a  windy  day  to  obviate  the  possibility  of 
dirt  falling  back  into  the  ditch. 

ooooooooooooo 

O  < EXTRA   HOLE  FOR  PRIMER 

ooooooooooooo 


ooooooooooo 

O  < — EXTRA  HOLE  FOR  CARRYING  DETONATION 

OOOOOOOOOO 

O  < — EXTRA  HOLE  FOR  CARRYING  DETONATION 

.OOOOOOOOOOO 

SHOWING  LOCATION  OF  PRIMER  HOLES  IN  PROPAGATED  BLASTING  OF 

DITCHES 

Draining  Swamps  and  Ponds 

Swamps  and  ponds,  except  where  they  are  close  to  rivers,  lakes  or 
the  ocean,  are  caused  by  spring  or  surface  water  collecting  on  low  ground 
without  a  lower  outlet.  As  a  rule  they  are  underlaid  by  a  hard  clay  or 
other  impervious  subsoils  which  prevent  the  water  from  sinking.  In  a 
great  many  instances  it  is  impracticable  to  drain  these  by  surface  methods 
or  ditching,  yet  they  can  often  be  permanently  dried  up  by  exploding 
deep  charges  of  dynamite  and  shattering  the  impervious  subsoil  beneath. 
The  number  of  charges  required  and  depth  of  same  depend  of  course  on 
the  size  of  area  to  be  drained,  the  amount  of  water  required  to  be  sunk, 
and  the  thickness  of  the  various  subsoil  strata  encountered  until  the 
water-absorbing  sand  or  gravel  is  reached.  In  order  to  determine  the 
depth  required,  a  test  hole  is  bored  with  a  dirt  auger,  which  should  be 
pulled  up  from  time  to  time  in  order  to  clean  hole  out,  as  also  to  ascertain 
the  nature  of  the  soil  encountered  which  is  readily  seen  on  the  spiral 
thread  of  the  auger.  Once  the  water-absorbing  sand  or  gravel  is  reached 
the  depth  of  the  hole  is  noted  on  the  auger  shank.  This  test  hole  must 
not  be  charged,  as  it  is  too  deep.    The  hole  or  holes  for  charging  should 

149 


stop  about  6  inches  above  the  sand  or  gravel  in  shallow  holes,  and  12  to 
18  inches  in  deep  holes.  It  very  often  happens  that  holes  have  to  be 
bored  to  depths  averaging  from  15  to  30  feet  before  the  water-absorbing 
strata  are  reached  and  in  order  to  do  this  it  is  necessary  to  use  an  ex- 
tension auger.  If  the  place  where  the  holes  are  to  be  put  down  is  covered 
with  water  too  deep  to  work  in,  the  boring  should  be  done  from  a  raft 
anchored  in  the  proper  position.  It  is  much  easier  to  operate  the  auger 
through  a  hole  in  the  center  of  the  raft  than  over  the  side.  As  soon  as 
the  hole  has  been  bored  to  the  required  depth  the  auger  is  withdrawn  and 
a  piece  of  1^-inch  pipe  sufficiently  long  to  reach  the  bottom  of  same 
and  5  or  6  inches  above  the  water  level  is  inserted.  Through  this  the 
dynamite  cartridges  are  dropped  one  at  a  time  and  pushed  to  the  bottom 
with  a  wooden  tamping  rod.  A  good  firm  push  will  hold  each  cartridge 
in  position.  The  last  cartridge  but  one  is  primed  with  a  Victor  Water- 
proof Electric  Fuze  and  one  cartridge  is  put  on  top  of  it  to  hold  same  in 
place,  as  it  is  not  advisable  to  give  the  primed  cartridge  too  hard  a  push 
with  the  tamping  rod. 

When  the  hole  has  been  charged  the  loading  pipe  is  withdrawn  and 
slipped  over  the  ends  of  the  electric  fuze  wires,  the  leading  wires  are  con- 
nected on  to  the  electric  fuze  wires,  the  joints  being  carefully  protected 
with  insulating  tape  and  the  raft  is  poled  to  the  shore  or  a  safe  distance 
away  from  the  hole  while  the  leading  wire  is  carefully  paid  out.  The 
outer  ends  of  the  leading  wires  are  then  attached  to  the  blasting  machine, 
the  operation  of  which  explodes  the  charge.  It  is  unnecessary  to  do  any 
tamping  in  this  work  if  the  holes  are  filled  with  water.  The  cartridges 
should  not  be  slit.  The  explosive  to  use  is  Red  Cross  Extra  Dynamite 
40%.  The  following  table  gives  the  approximate  charge  for  holes  of 
different  depths : 


Depth  of  Hole. 

Approximate   Number   of   li" 
X  8"  Cartridges. 

Sit. 

4 

10  ft. 

7 

15  ft. 

12 

20  ft. 

17 

30  ft. 

25 

40  ft. 

35 

Where  the  ground  is  swampy  or  ponds  form  in  the  wet  season  only 
and  dry  up  later  in  the  year,  the  blasting  should  be  done  in  the  dry 
season  when  a  raft  will  not  be  required.  This  blasting  should  be  done 
just  as  described  above  except  that  it  is  necessary  to  tamp  the  charge 
thoroughly  unless  the  borehole  fills  up  with  water.     In  this  work  it  is 

150 


sometimes  of  advantage  to  make  a  chamber  in  the  bottom  of  the  hole  by 
first  exploding  a  single  cartridge  in  the  bottom.  This  makes  it  possible 
to  get  more  of  the  main  charge  into  the  bottom  and  break  the  rock  or 
subsoil  better.  The  explosion  of  the  single  cartridge  may  close  the 
hole  a  little,  but  it  can  easily  be  opened  again  with  the  auger  or  an  iron 
rod.  The  main  charge  must  never  be  loaded  immediately  after  chamber- 
ing, but  a  half  hour  or  more  allowed  for  the  bottom  of  the  borehole  to 
cool  off.  This  plan  of  chambering  the  bottom  m^y  also  be  followed 
when  water  fills  the  bore  holes. 

As  the  movement  of  water  into  this  hole  tends  to  carry  dissolved 
clay  with  it,  which  may  eventually  form  an  impervious  coating  over  the 
sand  or  gravel  at  the  bottom  and  thus  stop  the  drainage,  it  is  advisable 
to  guard  against  this  by  filling  the  hole  with  coarse  material  immediately 
after  the  blast. 

Have  ready,  15  or  20  feet  from  the  proposed  hole,  a  pile  of  rubbish 
such  as  pieces  of  corn  stalks,  cotton  stalks,  small  pieces  of  stump  wood 
and  a  few  forkfuls  of  hay  or  straw.  Dump  the  rubbish  into  the  blasted 
hole,  being  careful  not  to  clog  it.  Poke  it  down  with  a  pole,  then  put  the 
hay  or  straw  on  top,  filling  in  the  last  few  feet  with  heavy  chunks  of  earth. 
Such  a  filled  hole  should  establish  permanent  drainage. 

See  pages  119  to  126  for  proper  methods  of  priming,  charging, 
tamping  and  firing. 


Road  Building 

Road  grading  and  ditching  always  take  more  or  less  digging,  but 
by  using  dynamite  to  loosen  up  the  hard  ground  or  shale,  and  to  blast 
out  the  rock,  roads  can  be  built  quickly  and  at  reduced- expense. 

To  blast  cuts  not  more  than  five  feet  deep  through  hard  earth  or 
shale  a  bar  should  be  driven  down  to  grade  and  two  or  three  1^4  x  8-inch 
cartridges  of  Red  Cross  Extra  Dynamite  40%  exploded  in  the  hole  thus 
made.  Be  sure  to  first  tamp  the  charge  properly.  Holes  should  be 
spaced  five  to  eight  feet  apart.  In  this  way  the  material  to  be  removed 
is  not  only  broken  up  so  that  it  can  be  shoveled  very  easily,  but  a  good 
portion  of  it  is  spread  over  the  surrounding  land  and  does  not  have  to 
be  handled. 

Roads  can  be  ditched  with  but  little  shoveling,  by  exploding  about 
half  a  cartridge  of  the  same  kind  of  dynamite  in  holes  along  the  sides  a 
foot  deep  and  two  to  three  feet  apart. 

U  it  is  necessary  to  cut  through  rock,  the  holes  should  be  drilled 
closer  together  and  charged  heavier.  See  pages  119  to  126  for  proper 
methods  of  priming,  charging,  tamping  and  firing. 

151 


Excavating  Cellars 

If  the  work  is  in  rock,  drill  the  holes  four  feet  deep  and  two  and  a 
half  to  three  feet  apart.  Charge  with  one  or  one  and  a  half  1%^  8-inch 
cartridges  of  Red  Cross  Extra  Dynamite  40%.  As  hand  drills  are  not 
often  larger  than  one  inch  in  diameter,  it  will  be  necessary  to  pour  the 
dynamite  out  of  the  shells  and  pack  it  in  the  bottoms  of  the  holes  with  a 
wooden  stick  exactly  as  when  blockholing  a  boulder  as  already  described. 
The  priming  and  tamping  are  also  done  as  when  blockholing  boulders. 
After  one  cut  or  bench  has  been  taken  out  in  part  or  over  the  entire 
surface  of  the  cellar  or  trench,  the  second  cut  of  three  or  four  feet  may  be 
commenced  and  the  excavating  continued  in  this  way  until  the  proper 
depth  is  reached. 

When  the  cellar  foundations  are  to  be  in  earth  or  shale  the  blasting 
is  done  as  in  road  grading  already  described.  A  small  shallow  cellar  not 
larger  than  fifteen  by  twenty  feet  nor  deeper  than  four  feet  can  be 
economically  excavated  in  earth  almost  entirely  and  with  practically  no 
shoveling  by  drilling  holes  three  feet  apart  each  way,  and  three  feet  nine 
inches  deep  and  loading  in  each  hole  two  1  ^  x  8-inch  cartridges  of  Red 
Cross  Extra  Dynamite  20%.  The  explosion  spreads  practically  all  of  the 
material  excavated  over  the  adjacent  ground  for  some  distance. 

The  charges  should  each  be  primed  with  an  electric  fuze,  should  be 
well  tamped,  and  all  exploded  together  with  a  Reliable  Blasting  Machine. 
See  pages  1 19  to  126  for  proper  methods  of  priming,  charging,  tamping 
and  firing. 


Sinking  Wells 

Wells  are  generally  sunk  through  rock  or  ground  which  cannot  be 
dug  to  advantage  without  the  aid  of  explosives.  In  well  sinking  when 
rock  is  reached  and  the  earth  or  sand  above  is  properly  supported,  a  circle 
of  four  or  five  drill  holes  should  be  started  about  half-way  between  the 
center  and  the  sides  of  the  well  and  pointed  at  such  an  angle  that  they  will 
come  closer  together  near  the  center  when  they  are  three  or  four  feet 
deep.  These  holes  should  be  loaded  about  half  full  of  Red  Cross  Extra 
Dynamite  40%,  with  damp  clay  or  sand  tamping  packed  firmly  above  to 
the  top  of  the  hole  and  then  exploded  all  together  from  the- surface  by 
electricity.  The  result  of  this  shot  will  be  to  blow  out  a  funnel-shaped 
opening  in  the  center,  and  the  bottom  can  then  be  squared  up  with  another 
circle  of  holes  drilled  straight  down  as  close  to  the  sides  as  possible.  If 
the  well  is  large  it  may  be  necessary  to  drill  a  circle  of  holes  between  the 
inner  and  outer  circle.  The  above  process  should  be  repeated  until  the 
well  has  passed  through  the  rock  or  has  been  sunk  to  the  necessary  depth. 
Do  not  in  any  case  enter  a  well  until  all  the  fumes  of  the  last  blast  have 
come  out.  If  in  doubt,  lower  a  lighted  candle  to  the  bottom,  if  it  con- 
tinues to  burn  the  well  may  be  entered  safely.  See  pages  1 19  to  126  for 
proper  methods  of  priming,  charging,  tamping  and  firing. 

152 


Digging  Post  Holes 

Only  enough  dynamite  sliould  be  used  in  this  work  to  make  the 
digging  easy  because  larger  charges  loosen  the  ground  to  such  an  extent 
that  it  is  difficult  to  make  the  poles  or  posts  as  firm  as  they  should  be. 
This  applies  particularly  to  large  poles. 

To  do  this  blasting  a  hole  is  bored  into  the  ground  within  6  inches 
of  the  desired  depth  of  the  hole.  In  the  bottom  of  this  hole  from  one- 
quarter  to  a  whole  cartridge  of  Red  Cross  Extra  Dynamite  40%  is 
exploded.  No  tamping  should  be  done  as  this  would  cause  the  dynamite 
to  loosen  the  surrounding  ground  too  much. 


Shattering  Subsoil  and  Hardpan 

Plowing  and  cropping  the  same  soil  year  after  year  robs  the  topsoil 
of  many  of  its  original  crop-bearing  properties.  Deep  plowing  as  a  rule 
is  the  remedy  for  soil  deterioration.  When  a  subsoil  plow  is  used  a 
noticeable  increase  in  the  crops  is  obtained  although  the  soil  is  only 
indifferently  broken  up  to  a  maximum  depth  of  18  inches.  How  much 
more  then  may  be  expected  if  4  or  5  feet  of  virgin  soil  is  rendered  porous 
and  mellow !  Red  Cross  Extra  Dynamite  accomplishes  this,  as  it  thor- 
oughly breaks  up  and  shatters  the  hardpan,  or  hard  impervious  clay  to 
this  depth.  It  aerates  same  and  places  at  the  disposal  of  plant  life  an 
enlarged  moisture  reservoir  and  all  the  soluble  fertilizing  mineral  ele- 
ments contained  in  that  virgin  ground. 

In  doing  this  work  the  greatest  efficiency  is  obtained  by  boring  holes 
at  intervals  of  15  to  20  feet  to  a  depth  of  3  to  4  feet  according  to  thickness 
of  the  clay  subsoil.  Each  hole  is  charged  with  one-half  of  a  1 J4  x  8-inch 
cartridge  of  Red  Cross  Extra  Dynamite  20%,  primed  with  cap  and  fuse. 
After  the  charge  is  placed,  holes  are  tamped  as  compactly  as  possible  up 
to  the  surface.  The  tighter  the  tamping  is  done  the  better  will  the 
results  be  and  it  is  very  important  that  this  be  done  properly  in  order  to 
minimize  as  much  as  possible  the  eflfect  of  the  explosion  on  the  surface 
soil.    See  page  122. 

When  blasting  hardpan  the  holes  should  be  bored  to  within  about 
six  inches  of  the  bottom  of  the  hardpan  and  the  charge  of  dynamite 
placed  at  that  point,  the  object  being  to  shatter  the  greatest  area  possible 
and  not  to  merely  make  a  chamber  in  the  ground  under  the  hardpan.  The 
spacing  of  holes  should  be  somewhat  closer  and  charge  of  dynamite 
should  be  somewhat  heavier  than  when  blasting  ordinary  subsoil.  When 
the  hardpan  is  thin,  six  to  twelve  inches,  the  charge  should  be  not  more 
than  half  a  cartridge  placed  in  the  middle  of  the  hardpan. 

153 


In  some  kinds  of  hardpan,  like  cemented  gravel,  it  may  be  necessary 
to  vary  a  little  the  instructions  given  above.  These  instructions  will, 
however,  answer  for  a  guide  until  practice  shows  that  some  slight 
changes  in  the  way  of  blasting  these  irregular  hardpans  will  prove  of 
advantage.  If  properly  done,  it  may  not  be  necessary  to  blast  subsoil 
or  hardpan  more  often  than  once  in  ten  years.  In  orchards  in  California 
hardpan,  heavier  charges  are  sometimes  used  in  the  boreholes  so  that  the 
blast  will  leave  a  considerable  opening,  which  can  be  filled  with  special 
fertilizers.  Subsoil  blasting  should  be  done  only  when  the  ground  is 
dry  because  wet  subsoil  is  not  easily  cracked  and  sMttered,  and  tends  to 
come  up  on  top,  leaving  a  large  hole  where  each  blast  zms  fired. 


Tree    Planting 

The  method  to  be  employed  in  doing  this  work  is  to  punch  a  hole 
in  the  ground  at  the  point  selected  for  planting  the  tree,  to  a  depth  of  two 
to  five  feet  according  to  nature  of  soil,  and  location  of  hardpan,  if  any. 

In  very  tight  soils,  as  in  California  hardpan  a  whole  cartridge  of 
Red  Cross  Extra  20%  or  even  40%  may  be  necessary.  These  heavy 
charges  should  be  tamped. 

The  usual  charge  is  one-half  cartridge  of  Red  Cross  Extra  Dyna- 
mite 20%  per  hole,  primed  with  cap  and  fuse.  If  the  soil  in  which  the 
tree  is  to  be  planted  is  of  a  hardpan,  shale  or  very  compact  clay,  holes 
should  be  tamped,  as  also  in  the  case  when  pecan  trees  are  planted,  other- 
wise no  tamping  is  necessary. 

The  common  practice  is  to  plant  the  trees  shortly  after  the  holes  are 
blasted.  Some  orchardists,  however,  believe  best  results  will  be  obtained 
when  holes  for  Spring  planting  are  blasted  in  the  Fall. 

This  affords  about  six  months  time  for  the  air,  moisture  and  sun- 
light to  work  on  the  subsoil  and  mellow  it. 

If  trees  are  planted  immediately  after  the  blast,  care  must  "be  taken 
to  poke  down  the  upheaved  soil  at  the  bottom  of  the  hole  or  settle  it  well 
with  water.  If  this  is  not  done,  the  dirt  may  shrink  away  from  the  roots 
of  the  tree,  leaving  is  suspended  in  air  or  water  and  thus  killing  it.  This 
is  undoubtedly  the  cause  of  the  death  of  the  few  dynamite-set  trees 
reported  as  failures.  A  little  care  in  settling  the  dirt  will  prevent  this 
trouble. 

Table  of  Charges  and  Amount  of  Red  Cross  Extra  Dynamite 
20%  Required  per  Acre  for  Planting  Trees 


Distance  between 

trees, 
square  method. 

Trees 
per  acre. 

Amount  ot 

dynamite  per  acre, 

using  ^  cart. 

per  tree. 

No.  6 

Blasting  Caps, 

per  acre. 

*Fuse  per  acre, 

2i    ft. 

per  tree. 

15  ft. 

20    " 

30  " 
40  " 

196 
1 10 

49 

25 

49  lbs. 
28    " 
13    " 

7    " 

196 

no 

% 

-490   ft. 
275    " 
122    " 

63    " 

*It  is  necessary  to  have  as  many  feet  of  fuse  per  hole  as  the  hole  is  deep. 

154 


Cultivating  or  Rejuvenating  Old  Fruit  Trees, 
Grape  Vines,  Etc. 

The  principal  objects  to  be  attained  by  using  dynamite  in  cultivating 
or  rejuvenating  old  fruit  and  other  trees,  grapevines,  etc.,  is  to  open  up 
the  subsoil  so  that  the  roots  may  spread  farther  and  go  deeper  and  also 
so  as  to  increase  the  waterholding  capacity  of  the  soil,  to  prevent  the 
surplus  moisture  from  lying  on  or  near  to  the  surface.  This  work  is, 
therefore,  very  much  like  subsoil  or  hardpan  blasting,  especially  in  such 
places  where  resistant  soil  conditions  are  encountered. 

In  California  and  other  States,  where  many  orchards  grow  over 
hardpan,  holes  are  often  drilled  from  3  to  5  feet  deep  and  sometimes 
placed  only  6  feet  away  from  the  trees.  When  holes  are  within  6  feet  of 
the  trees,  the  charge  is  reduced. 

It  is  not  often  advisable  to  blast  with  large  charges  or  so  close  to  the 
tree  that  many  of  the  roots  will  be  broken.  When  this  occurs  it  is  neces- 
sary to  prune  the  top  of  the  tree  so  that  the  transpiration  will  properly 
correspond  with  the  feeding.  Do  not  fail  to  carry  out  the  priming, 
charging  and  tamping  instructions  as  contained  on  pages  119  to  126. 


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FIG.    133 

1  his  diagram  represents  a  square  acre,  approximately,  with  trees  growing  ai 
20  feet  distances  '*  on  the  square."  The  black  dots  represent  the  trees,  the  crosses 
the  blasts,  and  the  circles  the  areas  broken  by  the  blasts.  This  system,  with  holes 
punched  in  the  centers  of  the  squares  is  the  best  when  trees  are  spaced  up  to  twenty 
feet  apart.  As  20-fcet  spacing  does  not  exactly  cover  a  square  acre  half  the  effect 
of  the  blasts  on  two  sides  of  the  acre  will,  be  in  the  two  adjacent  acres. 


155 


*/so-^30-o'»ron 


y(^(:ry(:ry(^^ 


)-0-0-0-0-0"0- 


FIG.  134 
This  represents  a  square  acre  of  orchard  set  on  the  30  feet  square  plan, 
with  blasts  between  the  trees.     This  system  is  best  where  trees  are  from  20 
to  30  feet  apart. 


01|. 


0(000GI00 


0  0'0  0  0*0  0 


This  represents  a  square  acre  of  orchard  set  on  the  40  feet  square  plan, 
with  blasts  on  three  sides  of  each  tree.  The  holes  are  punched  at  the  apexes 
of  an  equilateral  triangle,  the  tree  being  in  the  center  and  the  apexes  at  10 
feet  distances  from  the  tree.  As  shown,  the  triangles  for  two  adjacent  rows 
should  point  in  opposite  directions  to  distribute  the  blasting  to  best  advantage. 
This  method  is  best  when  trees  are  more  than  30  feet  apart. 

156 


Table  of  Charges  and  Amount  of  Red  Cross  Extra  Dynamite 
Required  per  Acre  for  Orchard  Rejuvenation 


Distance 

between 

trees, 

square 

method. 

Trees 
per 
acre. 

Location  of  holes  for  Dynamite. 

Number  of 

holes 
per  acre. 

Pounds  of 
Red  Cross 

Extra 
Dynamite 
per  acre 
using  i 
Cartridge 
per  hole. 

15  ft. 

20   ft. 

•       196 

no 

Midway  between  on  diagonal  lines. 
<  < 

198 
no 

49 
28 

20  ft. 

30  ft. 

no 
49 

49 

25 

Midway  between   on  square  lines. 

210 
91 

53 
23 

30  ft. 
40  ft. 

Ten  fe.et  from   tree  on  three   sides. 

147 
75 

Z7 
'      19 

Blasting  Ice 

Ice  gorges  may  often  be  prevented  by  shattering  the  large  floating 
cakes  with  Red  Cross  Extra  Dynamite  40%  so  that  they  will  not  lodge 
at  dams  or  in  the  narrow  parts  of  the  stream.  To  break  these  cakes 
several  cartridges  of  the  dynamite  tied  together  in  a  bundle  are  laid  on 
the  ice  and  exploded.  This  is  repeated  until  the  cake  is  thoroughly 
shattered  and  broken  up.  The  size  of  the  charge  and  the  number  of  times 
the  blasting  must  be  repeated  depend  altogether  on  the  thickness  of  the 
ice  and  the  size  of  the  cake.  One  cartridge  of  the  bundle  is  primed  with 
blasting  cap  and  fuse,  but  before  this  the  dynamite  must  be  thoroughly 
thawed  and  kept  thawed  until  it  is  laid  on  the  ice.  This  blasting  can  be 
done  best  along  broad,  slow-moving  parts  of  the  stream  where  it  is  easy 
to  get  on  to  the  ice  cakes  either  from  the  shore  or  from  boats.  When  the 
streams  are  narrow  the  charges  of  dynamite  may  be  thrown  on  to  the  ice 
from  the  shores,  or,  if  the  ice  is  running  swiftly,  they  may  be  dropped  on 
to  the  cakes  from  the  downstream  side  of  bridges.  When  the  charges 
consisting  of  two  or  more  cartridges  tied  together  in  a  bundle  are  to  be 
thrown  on  to  the  floating  ice  either  from  bridges  or  the  shore  a  block  of 
wood,  piece  of  board  or  something  of  that  kind  should  be  tied  to  the 
charge  to  keep  it  from  rolling  out  of  position  after  it  lands  on  the  ice. 
As  it  is  necessary  when  blasting  ice  in  this  way  to  light  the  fuse  while 
the  dynamite  is  in  the  hands  of  the  blaster,  particular  attention  must 
be  given  to  having  the  fuse  plenty  long  enough  and  the  charge  must  be 
thrown  just  as  soon  as  the  fuse  is  lighted. 


157 


The  following  table  gives  the  approximate  quantity  of  Red  Cross 
Extra  Dynamite  40%  required  to  break  floating  ice  cakes  of  different 
thickness  when  the  dynamite  is  exploded  on  the  surface  of  the  ice.  The 
number  of  charges  necessary  depends  on  the  size  and  extent  of  the  ice 
cake: 


Thickness  of  Ice 
Cakes. 

Approximate  No.  of   ij"  x  8" 
Cartridges. 

12  in. 

2    to    3 

24  in. 

6   to    8 

36  in. 

10    to  12 

To  open  ice  gorges  already  formed,  a  channel  should  be  cut  through 
them  beginning  on  the  down-stream  side  and  working  up  stream  along, 
the  line  of  the  strongest  current.  In  large  streams  this  channel  should  be 
about  fifty  feet  wide,  and  if  the  gorge  does  not  move  after  the  channel 
has  been  cut  through,  it  will  then  be  necessary  to  begin  at  the  down- 
stream side  of  the  gorge  again  and  widen  the  channel  until  the  ice  has 
been  carried  away. 

To  make  the  channel,  holes  are  cut  with  an  axe,  bar  or  ice  spade 
through  the  ice  twenty  to  thirty  feet  apart.  These  holes  are  laid  out  in 
a  semi-circle  with  the  two  end  holes  about  twenty  to  thirty  feet  back  from 
the  open  water  and  fifty  feet  apart. 


FIG.  136.— DIAGRAM  SHOWING  LOCATION  OF  ROW  OF  HOLES  FOR 
BLASTING  AN  ICE  GORGE 


158 


The  charge  consists  of  several  IJ/4  x  8-inch  cartridges  of  Red  Cross 
Extra  Dynamite  40%,  tied  securely  together  with  string,  one  of  the 
cartridges  having  been  primed  with  a  Victor  Waterproof  Electric  Fuze. 
When  the  charges  for  all  of  the  holes  are  prepared  they  are  connected 
together  and  to  the  leading  wires.  Each  charge  is  then  lowered  by  the 
electric  fuze  wires  into  the  water  and  pushed  under  the  down-stream  ice 
with  the  tamping  stick.  If  the  current  is  strong  enough  to  carry  the 
charge  down  stream  the  electric  fuze  wires  should  be  long  enough  to  let 
it  float  six  or  eight  feet  below  the  holes.  In  a  slow  current  a  block  of 
ligfit  wood  may  be  fastened  to  each  bundle  of  cartridges  to  make  it  float 
against  under  side  of  ice.  The  explosion  of  all  of  these  charges  simul- 
taneously by  the  operation  of  the  blasting  machine  will  break  up  the  first 
fifty  or  sixty  feet  of  the  channel  and  the  broken  ice  will  immediately 
float  away  unless  the  current  of  the  stream  is  very  sluggish.  In  that  case 
the  broken  ice  should  be  pushed  out  with  poles  into  open  water,  before  it 
has  time  to  freeze  in  place  again.  This  same  operation  is  repeated  cutting 
out  fifty  or  sixty  feet  or  more  of  the  channel  with  each  blast  until  the 
gorge  has  been  cut  through.  If  the  ice  is  from  two  to  four  feet  thick  the 
charge  in  each  hole  should  be  from  two  to  five  1^4  x  8-inch  cartridges 
of  Red  Cross  Extra  Dynamite  40%.  In  ice  six  to  eight  feet  thick,  each 
charge  must  be  increased  to  ten  or  twelve  cartridges.  When  the  ice  is 
thick,  and  large  charges  are  necessary,  the  holes  have  to  be  from  six  to 
twelve  inches  in  diameter  in  order  to  get  the  bundle  of  cartridges  through 
them.  These  large  holes  can  be  cut  through  the  ice  more  easily  by 
exploding  half  cartridges  of  the  dynamite  in  small  holes  made  with  bars. 

In  this  work  particular  attention  should  be  given  to  having  the 
dynamite  in  a  well-thawed  and  soft  condition  when  it  is  used,  and  to 
guard  against  breaking  insulation  of  fuze  wires  or  withdrawal  of  fuzes 
by  the  pull  of  the  current. 

Ice  is  blasted  from  watering  places  for  stock  either  by  exploding  the 
dynamite  on  the  ice  or  in  the  water  under  the  ice.  See  pages  119  to  126 
for  proper  methods  of  priming,  charging,  tamping  and  firing. 


Starting  Log  Jams 

To  start  log  jams  with  dynamite  the  charge  of  several  cartridges  or 
in  some  instances  of  many  pounds  of  dynamite  is  exploded  on  or  under 
the  logs  forming  the  key  of  the  jam.  When  small  charges  are  enough, 
the  cartridges  are  tied  in  a  bundle  as  when  blasting  ice.  If  charges  of 
fifty  pounds  or  more  are  necessary  the  dynamite  may  be  put  in  a  bag  or 
left  in  the  original  wooden  cases.  The  charge  is  primed  with  a  Victor 
Waterproof  Electric  Fuze  and  after  being  firmly  secured  in  the  proper 
position  is  exploded  from  the  shore  with  a  blasting  machine. 

Blocks  in  log  roUways  caused  by  rain  and  snow  freezing  and  binding 
the  logs  together  are  broken  up  by  exploding  charges  of  dynamite  in 
different  places  under  the  logs  until  they  are  loosened  and  can  be  rolled 
apart. 

Red  Cross  Extra  Dynamite  40%  is  recommended  for  starting  log 
jams  and  for  opening  the  rollways.  See  pages  119  to  126  for  proper 
methods  of  priming,  charging,  tamping  and  firing. 

159 


WHAT  TO  DO  WHEN  WANTING  DYNAMITE 

In  the  foregoing,  Red  Cross  Extra  Dynamite  and  Du  Pont  Blasting 
Supplies  have  been  carefully  described,  and  the  way  to  store  and  use 
them  explained.  When  blasting  is  contemplated  refer  to  the  section  on 
the  kind  of  work  to  be  done  and  find  the  kind  of  dynamite  recom- 
mended for  that  work  and  about  how  much  will  be  required. 

If  the  dynamite  is  to  be  used  for  blasting  stumps,  multiply  the  num- 
ber of  stumps  to  be  blasted  by  the  number  of  cartridges  for  a  stump 
the  size  they  will  average  and  divide  the  number  of  cartridges  by  two 
to  get  the  number  of  pounds  required. 

We  prefer  to  sell  through  local  dealers  when  possible.  If  we 
have  a  representative  in  your  locality  carrying  stock,  your  order  will  be 
forwarded  to  him  to  be  filled  from  his  own  stock.  If  we  have  no  dealer 
nearby,  we  shall  make  shipment  from  our  nearest  distributing  point, 
and  if  it  is  to  be  a  charge  account,  the  goods  will  be  invoiced  to  the 
storekeeper  who  has  agreed  to  carry  your  account,  but  shipment  will 
be  made  direct  to  you. 

You  can  buy  any  quantity  of  dynamite  from  one  cartridge  up  from 
local  dealers  who  have  stock  on  hand,  but  on  orders  sent  to  this  Com- 
pany for  direct  shipment,  broken  lots  cannot  be  purchased.  The  small- 
est direct  shipment  that  we  can  accept  for  dynamite  is  25  pounds;  for 
caps,  100;  for  fuse,  100  feet.  Orders  for  larger  quantities  must  be 
in  multiples  of  these  figures;  for  instance,  50,  75,  100  and  upwards 
pounds  of  dynamite;  100,  200,  300,  etc.,  caps;  100,  200,  300,  etc.,  feet 
of  fuse. 

The  minimum  freight  charge  is  on  the  basis  of  100  pounds ;  hence 
freight  will  be  the  same  on  25,  50,  75  or  100  pounds. 

As  soon  as  you  have  sent  in  an  order,  be  sure  to  notify  your  local 
freight  agent,  so  that  he  may  advise  you  promptly  of  the  arrival  of  the 
shipment.  It  is  required  by  law  that  explosives  be  removed  from 
freight  stations  within  48  hours  after  their  arrival.  Order  about  3  to 
4  weeks  before  you  need  the  dynamite  and  supplies. 


Tear  Out  and  Fill  In  Opposite  Page 
When  Ordering  Supplies  H^^ 


It  is  best  to  do  this  whether  you  can  get  them  from  your  local 
dealer  or  not.  Many  of  our  dealers  do  not  carry  Blasting  Supplies  in 
stock,  but  will  see  that  your  order  is  filled.  They  need  this  written 
order.  Even  if  the  dealer  carries  a  stock  of  Blasting  Supplies,  it  is  a 
great  convenience  for  him  to  have  this  written  order,  and  tends  to 
prevent  errors  or  omissions. 

If  we  have  no  dealer  in  your  locality  send  us  the  order  and  remit- 
tance and  we  will  see  that  you  are  supplied. 

E.  I.  du  PONT  de  NEMOURS  POWDER  CO., 

Wilmington,  Del. 
160 


Professional    Blasters   Can    Find 
Profitable    Employment   on    Farms 

We  should  like  to  hear  from  men  with  blasting  experience  in 
mines,  quarries  or  with  contractors,  etc.;  also  from  inexperienced  men 
willing  to  learn  blasting. 

Men  having  leisure  time  on  their  hands  at  certain  seasons  of  the 
year  can  obtain  profitable  employment  from  farm  owners  and  fruit 
growers  who  have  land  to  clear  of  stumps  and  boulders,  ditches  to 
be  dug,  ponds  and  low  spots  to  drain,  trees  to  plant  or  cultivate,  roads 
to  make,  or  fields  to  subsoil. 

Hundreds  of  men  scattered  all  over  the  United  States  are  making 
a  very  good  living  by  devoting  their  time  to  work  of  this  kind,  but 
there  are  not  nearly  as  many  men  engaged  in  it  as  are  necessary 
to  take  care  of  all  of  the  work  to  be  had. 

We  do  not  employ  agricultural  blasters,  but  we  do  everything  in 
our  power  to  assist  those  who  take  up  the  work  to  secure  blasting 
contracts  from  parties  in  theu:  locality  who  have  replied  to  our  ex- 
tensive advertising.  The  parties  employing  them  pay  them  for  their 
work.  We  also  give  agricultural  blasters  attractive  handbills  and 
posters,  advertising  their  business,  and  letterheads  and  envelopes, 
booklets  and  other  printed  matter  which,  when  properly  distributed 
and  used,  assist  them  in  securing  work. 


BLASTER  CARD 

IF  YOU  WANT  TO  TAKE  UP  AGRICULTURAL  BLASTING— CUT  OUT, 
FILL  IN  AND  MAIL  THIS  CARD 

E.  I.  du  Pont  de  Nemours  Powder  Co., 
Wilmington,  Del. 

Gentlemen — Please  explain  how  I  may  become  an  agricultiral  blaster  and  how   you   will   help  me 
secure  work  at  blastiug  from  farmers  in  my  neighborhood. 

Name _. 

St.  &  No.  or  R.  F.D.. 

Town  .Sfwfe  


PRACTICAL    ADVICE    FROM  A    SUCCESSFUL  BLASTER 

Mr.  Thomas  H.  Benton,  of  Tennessee,  explains  below  his  methods  of  secur- 
ing blasting  contracts: 

"My  attention  was  first  called  to  the  agricultural  uses  of  dynamite  by  a  friend  and  neigh- 
bor, named  C.  R.  Johnson,  who  employed  me  to  subsoil  two  acres  of  land.  I  had  no  one  to  instruct 
me,  obtaining  all  my  knowledge  and  instructions  from  the  Du  Pont  Company's  Farmer's 
Handbook,  which  I  studied  closely.    I  was  very  successful  in  the  subsoiling  and  other  little  jobs. 

"The  next  thing  I  did  was  to  co-operate  with  our  jobber,  Levi,  Joy  &  Co.  Right  at  this 
point  is  where  I  must  give  much  credit  for  my  success.  Knowing  the  interest  the  jobber  was 
taking  in  me  and  even  sharing  part  of  the  expense  on  some  local  ads  which  I  got  up,  I  at 
once  got  busy  and  had  some  individual  printing  done.  I  bought  a  horse  and  spring  wagon, 
tools  for  blasting,  etc.,  a  small  stock  of  dynamite  and  went  out  among  the  farmers.  My 
wagon  is  painted  red  and  lettered  nicely,  (Du  Pont)  Red  Cross  Extra  Dynamite,  Agricultural 
Demonstrator  and  Salesman.  And  say!  the  farmers  take  their  hats  off  to  me.  Work!  Why 
I  can  hardly  keep  up  with  the  contracts.  I  have  several  large  contracts  on  hand  for  later 
dates,  among  which  is  a  job  of  ditching  in  the  Mississippi  Delta.  Where  the  other  man  buys 
the  dynamite  and  supplies,  I  work  for  $5.00  per  day  and  all  expenses.  I  will  say  that  the 
best  way  to  be  able  to  figure  on  a  certain  work  is  to  let  the  other  fellow  buy  the  material  and 
work  by  the  day  for  others  until  experience  helps  a  blaster  "bn  estimating  prices,  etc.  I  can 
figure  almost  to  the  stick  required  on  most  work. 

"I  won't  explain  in  detail  everyone  I  have  worked  for,  but  I  have  just  completed  a  three 
days'  stump-blasting  job,  20  miles  north  of  this  city,  for  a  man  named  Cummins.  He  is 
making  a  model  farm  of  his  property  and  I  figured  on  200  old  stumps,  only  ten  bad  ones  in 
the  lot.  I  furnished  the  dynamite  and  did  the  work  for  $64.60,  used  250  lbs.  40  per  cent.,  400 
feet  fuse,  2  boxes  caps.  He  was  so  well  pleased  with  my  work  that  he  gave  me  $5.00  extra 
money,  a  $15.00  white  Orpington  cock,  a  setting  of  fine  eggs  and  a  side  of  meat.  As  I  have 
a  family,  of  course  I  appreciated  all  these  things.  Each  day  I  was  there  several  people  came 
to  see  me  work  and  I  actually  believe  I  could  keep  busy  all  spring  in  that  neighborhood. 
Have  closed  several  small  contracts  to  hold  me  for  awhile, 

"I  am  glad  to  say  that  Agricultural  Blasting  puts  a  man  in  touch  with  the  very  best 
people  in  the  country." 

The  above  should  prove  encouraging  to  every  Agricultural  Blaster.  Mr. 
Benton  has  been  successful  not  because  he  was  an  experienced  solicitor,  nor 
because  he  was  an  experienced  blaster  at  the  time  of  taking  up  this  proposition. 
In  fact,  he  was  a  plain  everyday  farmer  who  had  never  done  any  soliciting  for 
contracts  of  any  kind  and  whose  only  knowledge  of  the  use  of  dynamite  to  begin 
with  was  obtained  from  our  Farmer's  Handbook  of  Explosives.  His  success, 
therefore,  has  been  due  altogether  to  his  own  energetic  and  intelligent  efforts. 
The  first  good  move  he  made  was  to  form  a  business  connection  with  our  dealer 
in  his  locaUty.  That  is  something  every  blaster  ought  to  do.  This  dealer  has 
been  of  assistance  to  Mr.  Benton  in  securing  work.  For  the  main  part,  how- 
ever, his  success  has  been  due  to  energetic  hustling. 

For  further  information  on  this  subject,  tear  out,  fill  in  and  mail  the  card 
below. 


PUT 
1    CENT 
STAMP 
HERF 


MGR.  AGRICULTURAL  DIVISION. 

WILMINGTON,  DELAWARE. 


TTTTS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
THIS  BOOK^iB^^p^jj  BELOW 

AN  INITIAL  FINE  OF  25  CENTS 

THIS   BOOK   ON   THE°*J|L?3  0N  THE  FOURTH 
r.^rHl.''T;^\-0    o""-    SCVeWTH    O.V 

OVERDUE. 


ZEC     4  1938 


FEBT81958 


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LD  2l-100m-8,'34 


YC   I  1933 


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UNIVERSITY  OF  CAIylFORNIA  IvIBRARY 


